Ascent Vaporizer by DaVinci

Zow237

Zow237

Well-Known Member
I had the solo and davinci already thats why i asked....they both broke on me real quick. the solo just stopped firing up and the davinci wouldnt charge anymore. so i wouldnt need to look up things about the other vapes. all i asked is a comparison on vapor quality but thanks for the input.
 
Zow237,
OF

OF

Well-Known Member
Zow237 said:
I had the solo and davinci already thats why i asked....they both broke on me real quick.

all i asked is a comparison on vapor quality but thanks for the input.
Click to expand...

OK. If you're trying to figure out what the Ascent is like vapor wise I think I can help.....although that's not what you originally asked?

Solo and Ascent are quite similar compared to DV. Solo might have a tiny edge if only by being ore uniform. If you liked Solo you should like Ascent (although might have to 'work with it' more to get the exact results you want).

If you found little difference between DV and Solo you don't have a worry in the world. Otherwise taste is a pretty subjective thing.

You seem to be rough on vapes. While DV has it's problems, can can be rough to fix in many cases, not so Solo. DV charging problems seem to have been about evenly split between charger/connection and fatal issues inside. If you have someone who can check out the charger and connector you might have an easy fix, otherwise it's probably a 50/50 kind of bet (and it's a $20 charger IIRC). If it's new enough and you got it from a legitimate dealer warranty is also an option.

The Solo is another matter. Most of them can be revived it seems. Very few hard failures that couldn't be resolved, basically no display and similar problems that plague some units. Batteries and the processor 'getting lost' are probably most of the problems? I'm sure I'm about to get a few 'my Solo.....' posts, but for every one of them there's a bunch of the other type (and a whole lot more that had no problems). How old is it? Is it one of the newer ones that you can 'charge while using' or the older style that used a 9 Volt PA supply as an option? If you want to give it a go I think we've got a good shot at successful CPR here?

But Ascent vapor is like Solo, not DV.

OF
 
Scott A

Scott A

Well-Known Member
Sorry guys im not trying to fill up this thread with my posts but I need to share. After another 2 bowls through the ascent I think that bad flavor is all the way gone so now I can get my full impression of it. I dont like to stir when im using a portable so that is how I have been using the ascent and I am very surprised by how even the ABV looks when its done. Efficiency and hit size are solid for a portable so far. I knew when I bought it not to expect it to match up with my log vapes in that regard but It has surprised me in more ways than one.
 
CarolKing

CarolKing

Singer of songs and a vapor connoisseur
The Ascent really gives the herb great vapor flavor all the way. I really love the temperature gauge or should I say controls. I love to be able to set my unit to what suits the herb that I'm using. Whatever temp from very low such as 330 degrees to all the way to 430.

You are able to preprogram your session if you want to and many folks like that option. No app for this portable yet. I like to have controls at my finger tips anyway. I prefer to start low with my herb and work my way up. I set my temp to whatever herb that I'm using. I usually prefer a temp anywhere from 375 to 395 / 400ish. I will go as high as 410 if I have wax sandwiched into my herb. There is no right or wrong.

Whether you medicate recreationally or medically the Ascent is a very nice portable.
 
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G

GnuBee

New Member
I have a DaVinci Ascent that I bought directly from DaVinci. I have had a problem with it combusting at low temperatures. It even combusted at 325 degrees. I sent it back & they replaced the heating unit. I just received it back & it looks like they may have installed a new lower end. I'm still having problems with it combusting. I usually leave the machine set at 360 degrees to warm up. It produces decent vapor at that heat range. If I go higher, it will combust.

Anyone else have this type of problem with their unit? I admit that I have not read the 200+ pages on this topic. So if this has already been discussed, if you could post up a link, I would appreciate it.

Thank you.
 
OF

OF

Well-Known Member
GnuBee said:
Anyone else have this type of problem with their unit? I admit that I have not read the 200+ pages on this topic. So if this has already been discussed, if you could post up a link, I would appreciate it.
Click to expand...

First off, howdy, welcome to the forum......sorry it's because you're having troubles.

Replacing the lower part makes sense, since it contains the temperature sensor which is probably buried in the heater assembly. However, the actual control circuits are in the upper part (where the problem seems to be). I have measured a couple of Ascents now with Thermocouples (highly accurate point temperature measurement sensors) and they are amazingly accurate. Like to one degree in one case and a few in the other. Something has to be wrong if you set 325 and still get over 420 to combust.

It sounds like this is intermittent? That is it sometimes works? My bet it they changed the oven and it worked so they returned it. I'd send it back, explaining that the original problem still exists.

Good luck. As you know when it works correctly it's well worth having around.......

OF
 
OF,
G

GnuBee

New Member
Thanks for the reply. I have access to a lazer temperature sensor & have been intending to check out the actual temp.

The unit seems to never charge fully. The battery indicator will continue to blink even after charging overnight. The battery will show solid, but it continues to blink. Plus sometimes it will not continue to hold temperature. It will warm up well most of the time. Sometimes it won't continue at the desired temp & I shut it off , then restart it.
 
GnuBee,
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OF

OF

Well-Known Member
GnuBee said:
Thanks for the reply. I have access to a lazer temperature sensor & have been intending to check out the actual temp.
Click to expand...

You're welcome. Forget the temperature measurement. First off, it's not laser, at most it uses one for aiming. The work is done by Infrared Radiation from the hot body. One of my 3 IR meters doesn't have a laser at all, one has two so you hold it at the right distance (it has a .1 inch diameter window).

IR detectors depend on a factor called 'Emissivity'. It varies widely with materials:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emissivity
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/emissivity-coefficients-d_447.html

The default number is usually about .95, some units allow adjustment to calibrate the meter. We've discussed this a LOT in various threads, IR Pyrometers are chronically under reporting. By about 100F in Solo for instance. The only accurate way is with a T/C gauge really. Physically at the point of interest inside the load. Here's the report on my efforts along those lines about a year ago:

http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/ascent-vaporizer-by-davinci.9885/page-111#post-459922

Those investigations (other posts follow....) led to the glass flowers insight.......something you should explore once you get your unit sorted out. In that vein the additional problems you relate also point to the upper section, there might even be more than one failure there......service/replacement still seems the first order of business.

Good luck.

OF
 
Scott A

Scott A

Well-Known Member
Can I use a q-tip dipped in iso to clean the inside of the heating chamber on this? One thing ive noticed so far is that this thing gets a lot of build up really fast.
 
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Delta3DStudios

Delta3DStudios

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
Scott A said:
Can I use a q-tip dipped in iso to clean the inside of the heating chamber on this? One thing ive noticed so far is that this thing gets a lot of build up really fast.
Click to expand...

Yep, just don't saturate the qtip in ISO - only use a little bit to moisten the tip (Gigitty).

I've heard reports you can use a magic-erase on the white oven to make it shine white again, but I've been afraid to try it
 
Delta3DStudios,
OF

OF

Well-Known Member
Scott A said:
Can I use a q-tip dipped in iso to clean the inside of the heating chamber on this? One thing ive noticed so far is that this thing gets a lot of build up really fast.
Click to expand...

Be careful not to slop it around too much, but most guys don't seem to have too much luck if the fouling goes too far. Tougher attacks are called for then.

However the fouling is not caused by "this thing", but rather what you put in it. I've got well over half an ounce through mine with basically zero fouling. The key is what you put in it seems. As was pointed out by the Magic Flight engineer a while back moisture in the herb is the major issue. Keep it dry and fairly fine ground and stuff should brush out while still warm.

I think the glass flowers (which you should try at any rate) also help by keeping the load more or less intact so it falls out freely while still warm. Once any tiny deposits are spotted, removing them (I use a toothpick) before loading more keeps them from growing out of control I think. Being a conduction vape you really don't want any old plant junk (think insulation) between the heat and the load you want to vape.

Regards,

OF
 
G

GnuBee

New Member
Thanks for the info.

When returning one of these units, the factory recommends using a paste made of salt & rubbing alcohol. I wasn't to keen on using salt. I did douse the lower unit fairly well with several alcohol soaked q-tips to clean it up.
 
GnuBee,
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Zow237

Zow237

Well-Known Member
OF said:
OK. If you're trying to figure out what the Ascent is like vapor wise I think I can help.....although that's not what you originally asked?

Solo and Ascent are quite similar compared to DV. Solo might have a tiny edge if only by being ore uniform. If you liked Solo you should like Ascent (although might have to 'work with it' more to get the exact results you want).

If you found little difference between DV and Solo you don't have a worry in the world. Otherwise taste is a pretty subjective thing.

You seem to be rough on vapes. While DV has it's problems, can can be rough to fix in many cases, not so Solo. DV charging problems seem to have been about evenly split between charger/connection and fatal issues inside. If you have someone who can check out the charger and connector you might have an easy fix, otherwise it's probably a 50/50 kind of bet (and it's a $20 charger IIRC). If it's new enough and you got it from a legitimate dealer warranty is also an option.

The Solo is another matter. Most of them can be revived it seems. Very few hard failures that couldn't be resolved, basically no display and similar problems that plague some units. Batteries and the processor 'getting lost' are probably most of the problems? I'm sure I'm about to get a few 'my Solo.....' posts, but for every one of them there's a bunch of the other type (and a whole lot more that had no problems). How old is it? Is it one of the newer ones that you can 'charge while using' or the older style that used a 9 Volt PA supply as an option? If you want to give it a go I think we've got a good shot at successful CPR here?

But Ascent vapor is like Solo, not DV.

OF
Click to expand...
I have my solo still it just sits here.. It's a newer model . The light on it just blinks it'll go to fire up start blinking like it's working then never gets passed one and starts blinkin again

TheDudeNextDoor said:
Considering the Massdrop sale of the Ascent for $150 but concerned about warranty. Ugh, so tempting.
Click to expand...
Mass drop told me they would honor the warranty for 2 years... Mass drop will not davinci
 
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Zow237,
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OF

OF

Well-Known Member
Zow237 said:
I have my solo still it just sits here.. It's a newer model . The light on it just blinks it'll go to fire up start blinking like it's working then never gets passed one and starts blinkin again
Click to expand...

That sounds suspiciously like another Member's plight. It was a battery fault, IIRC. Does it behave the same with the charger plugged in?

OF
 
OF,
TheDudeNextDoor

TheDudeNextDoor

Abiding
OF said:
That sounds suspiciously like another Member's plight. It was a battery fault, IIRC. Does it behave the same with the charger plugged in?

OF
Click to expand...

Sounds like my plight. @Zow237, try a battery reset:

Plug in unit
Hold both buttons down for four seconds
Let off button and wait an additional ten seconds
Unplug unit

I got mine working again using this reset although I had to try it several times before it worked, and ultimately, I had to replace the unit. Worth a try, though.
 
G

GnuBee

New Member
OF said:
I think the glass flowers (which you should try at any rate) also help by keeping the load more or less intact so it falls out freely while still warm.
Click to expand...

Could someone please enlighten me on what these "Glass Flowers" are all about?

Thank you.
 
GnuBee,
Delta3DStudios

Delta3DStudios

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
GnuBee said:
Could someone please enlighten me on what these "Glass Flowers" are all about?

Thank you.
Click to expand...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Single-Pack...yle-Smoking-Pipe-Assorted-Color-/371170511957 (You probably want to buy more than 10, I bought 50 for $8 a while back on ebay - my LHS is charging $1.50 EACH!)
20140105_045027_df243f34-1c65-4ed9-8df8-4b7f59bfaede_1024x1024.jpg


Sometimes called "Glass Pipe Flowers", "Glass Jacks" or Glass Daisy Flower screens. Basically use a few of these throughout your load (and a few on top to keep the ABV from flying into your mouth through the glass stem!

Search this thread, you'll read a LOT of comments on how to use them and best packing techniques with them
 
Amoreena

Amoreena

Grown up Flower Child
Zow237 said:
... Mass drop told me they would honor the warranty for 2 years... Mass drop will not davinci
Click to expand...
Sounds good. Replacing is faster than repairing. :)

Edit: Mine has never needed repair.
 
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Amoreena,
pakalolo

pakalolo

Toolbag v1.1 (candidate)
Staff member
Ratchett said:
I've heard reports you can use a magic-erase on the white oven to make it shine white again, but I've been afraid to try it
Click to expand...

Why? Magic Eraser is just an abrasive foam. It doesn't contain any chemicals. If you blow out any particles there is absolutely no reason not to use it.
 
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