Ascent Vaporizer by DaVinci

[stickstones]

use a screen, or cotton works even better. a little bit of cotton on top of the load keeps it all crystal clean

 

[smokie]

I don't grind and never have a problem!

 

[chris worthy]

This is one of the coolest vaporizers out there. I have been looking forward to it coming out especially since the Davinci was such a great vaporizer. Originally got my DaVinci from dtxvapes.com but I called them and they said they are still waiting on their shipment too. Im hoping since its the new year they should have it now. Kind of stuck between this one and the firefly...any opinions?

 

[JCat]

Just started using my Ascent a few days ago. I like it, but it has one annoying problem, and that is that little bits of material keep flying up into my mouth while inhaling. Anyone else have this problem or know how to fix it?

Get a grinder that shreds/fluffs as opposed to powders (I like the Santa Cruz shredders for this ... one can get powder consistency with them but easy even with quite dry bud to get a nice fluffy grind which works great for the Ascent in my estimation.)

When I use my Ascent I usually pack around .25-.3 which fills the bowl loosely packed with a "fluffy"/"shredded" grind. (powdered I don't think this would fill 1/3)

I don't use any spacers, flowers, cotton, etc and I get great vapor and can finish a bowl with nice evenly browned ABV in about 5-7 minutes including heat-up time. (and I get nice Clouds) ... I do run mine typically at max temp but start inhaling when it hits around 380 or so ... I regulate my draw to regulate the temperature down as desired but this way the recovery is quicker (at least this has been my preferred method because I like to be done quickly and back to what I was doing before I stopped to medicate) The vapor at this temp feels like a Solo at around 5 ... it's still relatively cool/pleasant and causes me 0 mouth/throat irritation ... I found the Solo felt hotter/harsher at 6/7 then the Ascent does at max.

 

[nigel]

My experience with them so far is that unless the material is finely ground and packed well, they don't seem to work as well but, being new to this and not having experimented that much so far, my technique could just be my problem in the first place.

Also, prior to getting the glass flowers and trying those, I found I had to use a glass jar in the "oven" to compact the material or I couldn't get much of anything out of it. This being with what I call "micro-loads", less than 1/4 to 1/2 of an oven full.

I raise the question, as I don't think you want to "pack tightly", but rather "pack appropriately" for the device, which may or may not involve "tight".

As I mentioned, I initially thought to pack very tightly, but eventually realized that was too much. Now I don't at all outside of what is mentioned below.

The jar helps for a few reasons, not limited to keeping the herb in place (paper-weight), providing more surface area exposed to product, and providing better thermal mass than just air.

Also, I usually do ~0.07-0.14 grams, using the method below. (My "pinches" usually measure out to ~0.07g, so that's 1-2 of them.) That will produce a nice extended session, as I slowly sip away and temp-step for quite some time.

However, I have, experimented with loads as small as 0.025g, just to prove it could be done.

[EDIT: I was calling those micro-loads, but now you are using that term for larger loads, I shall now call them pico-loads. ]

Could you explain that a bit more, or at least differently? I'm confused with your use of the term "flowers" as I've heard the glass thingys as well as the material to be vaped referred to as "flowers".

Do you put some glass flowers on the bottom, some material on top and then more glass flowers?

My apologies as I was not clear. It goes like this from top to bottom:

3. Layer of glass flowers filled up to the top, inserted stem side down in the product (like a thumbtack)
2. A few pinches of product aka real organic flower
1. Two or three glass flowers, dropped in

I honestly don't really know if the bottom layer is even really needed. I just do it more out of habit than anything else.

In this case, there is no compression/packing of the product, other than resulting from inserting stems from the glass flowers in.

This seems to work quite well for my needs.



I retract any negative statement about Beavis and Butthead.

 

[DanAndroid]

Thank you VERY much Nigel!

I'm out of material at the moment for practice and technique development but as soon as I get some, I see I have some 'sperimentin' to do!

I've got a trimmed-to-fit metal screen in the bottom of my oven, easily enough removed though, so I think I'll try it the way you described as well as the alternate method you mentioned.

Your advice was awesome!

No need to retract your statement about B&B though, they aren't actually real so you don't have to worry about hurting their feelings.

 

[sthanna1017]

So I did something stupid and wondering if anybody has any ideas.

I was trying to clean out the bowl with iso and didn't realize that the solution i used had a bunch of sea salt mixed in. I've tried a bunch of different things to try and clean it out but no matter what I try when I try to vape it has an overwhelming sodium odor so i end up wasting the bowl...really pissing me off. I've run the bowl empty on 430 numerous times.

Any ideas how i can rectify this issue? Also, I'm assuming it's not safe to run liquid through the bottom of the bowl...if that's the case, is there a way to clean the underside of the bowl that is now easily accessible as I think some salt may be stuck there as well.

 

[nigel]

I'm out of material at the moment for practice and technique development but as soon as I get some, I see I have some 'sperimentin' to do!

I don't mean to derail the thread, but allow me to quickly point out that there are PLENTY of other things that are vape-able. I'm rather partial to Tulsi as it is DELICIOUS and helps with sleep. Of course, other items will have other temps to hit, but they do make for cheap "practice material" if you are out of your favorite herb. There are other threads here for discussion on other herbs.

Returning thread back to the Ascent....

I was trying to clean out the bowl with iso and didn't realize that the solution i used had a bunch of sea salt mixed in.

I use rock salt and ISO for cleaning the stems, as the abrasiveness of the salt helps on the hard to reach inside parts. But I haven't on the bowl.

Sounds like you might have a few crystals stuck, perhaps in the bottom holes? ISO wash the bowl, then perhaps a strong flashlight and a paper-clip might clean-out under the bowl? Just be careful.

 

[DanAndroid]

Just started using my Ascent a few days ago. I like it, but it has one annoying problem, and that is that little bits of material keep flying up into my mouth while inhaling. Anyone else have this problem or know how to fix it?

Many probably won't like my "fix" but what I did was to roll up a very small pipe screen so that it would slide easily into the lower glass section far enough so that it extends down into the area where the glass expands out near the bottom.

Even with a gunked up tube, I can easily push it out using thin silver solder shoved in one of the small entrance holes and if it feels like it doesn't want to move easily, heating up the tube a bit solves that problem.

Interestingly enough, I still end up with condensed vape collecting the sides of the lower tube both below and above the area where the screen is to all the way up to the top of the lower tube but any plant matter that makes it past the inlet holes stays in the inlet area caught by the screen.

That said, I don't see a LOT of plant matter caught in the screen, few enough to be able to count after many loads and someone may, hopefully know of a technique that can be used so that a screen is not needed and no material finds its way up to one's mouth but until such time, a rolled up screen works for me.

I suppose the extent of the condensed vape isn't surprising since it will collect on cooler surfaces and the screen may block some heat but I found it interesting none the less.

 

[OF]

I was trying to clean out the bowl with iso and didn't realize that the solution i used had a bunch of sea salt mixed in.

Any ideas how i can rectify this issue? Also, I'm assuming it's not safe to run liquid through the bottom of the bowl...if that's the case, is there a way to clean the underside of the bowl that is now easily accessible as I think some salt may be stuck there as well.

Bummer. I assume you meant 'that is not easily accessible...'? Otherwise I don't see the issue.

OK, you can't smell sodium evaporating from table salt (that doesn't happen), and since the melting point is over 1000F and the boiling point way hotter that's not happening either. In fact, salts of many types are used in 'baths' of heated dry salts in heat treating metals. Next time you're at the Optomitrist peek in the back room, you'll find a shoebox size salt bath (table salt typically) used to 'adjust' glasses frames (now you know why he keeps dashing out....).

The rub will be the only way to get it out will be to dissolve it out. With water, ISO won't work unless it's very weak (the very reason we use it cleaning in the first place). Not an easy nut to crack. I'd probably try 'spritzing' water into the bowl while sucking full tilt with the shop vac from below? The left over moisture is then a problem, you can't just use ISO to dry it this way, since that will make your shop vac explode....... A day or two in warm drafts? I put such stuff on top of the router, which runs warm.

Sending it in may be the final solution?

Good luck with it, real bummer to have it in your hand and not be able to enjoy it.

Sounds like you might have a few crystals stuck, perhaps in the bottom holes? ISO wash the bowl, then perhaps a strong flashlight and a paper-clip might clean-out under the bowl? Just be careful.

While I agree with the careful inspection idea (I'd include magnification), as I just said ISO is not going to help I think. In general, ISO doesn't belong in Ascent.....unless I missed that notice? A careful wipe down with a slightly damp cloth is as close as I think you normally should get (I put a single drop on a clean spot of a cotton 'patch' for this).

Water, despite 'common knowledge', is fine with electricity......as long as it's pure. Seriously, remove the ions of stuff dissolved in it and water makes a great insulator. Unfortunately for our team of all the things we could dissolve in the water, Sodium Chloride is way over on the bad end.

OF

 

[sthanna1017]

thanks for the replies.

OF, using your theory of spraying it with water and shop-vac'ing it out, why wouldn't qtips soaked with water do the same thing? also, couldn't I just turn the vap on to get rid of the left-over water?

 

[OF]

OF, using your theory of spraying it with water and shop-vac'ing it out, why wouldn't qtips soaked with water do the same thing? also, couldn't I just turn the vap on to get rid of the left-over water?

That's what I said I would do, your call. I would not put water in without a scheme for getting it out again (the vacuum). Douching water around with no way out and giving it time to 'soak in' is going to give you water problems and move the salt even deeper into the works. Remember, the water will dissolve the salt, not just flush it out. The water will become contaminated and carry the contamination with it only to deposit it there when the water evaporates. You can't 'wash' it out, only rinse it out.

Sure you can (try to) dry it out by firing it up but I would not do so nor would I advise doing so. That water is likely to soak into places not intended. Violently boiling it off (like heating the unit up.......) could easily damage things. We know from our experiences with boiling TV products, which are really quite robust, that trapped steam pockets can raise Hobb with the works. If I thought it was that easy, I'd have suggested so. I see a danger, which is why I said what I did. Your call again.

IMO this is thin ice country, it's your unit, take your own chances or not. I've said what I think I'd do. I'm not sure I can recommend it past that......for sure I'm not about to say any more risky technique is a good idea.

Or you can send it back?

IMO the best plan is to avoid such issues. Like with all other vapes, I think this means keeping ISO (with or without salt) out of the unit unless the maker recommends it. He's the guy that knows what's inside and how it will react. ISO and salt are not always benign.

Good luck with it.

OF

 

[firstavailable]

Over a year?? Rather doubt that.

Sure feels like it, I didn't do the math to calculate EXACTLY how long I've been waiting though. I remember I first found out about it shortly before they released the first run. I think they only shipped like 200 units or so before they discovered some sort of air leak issue that needed to be fixed. I've been waiting to get one ever since. how long do you think that has been?

Of course there are a lot of variables that go into visible vapor, including things like quality of product and packing techniques. (Add to this a lot of us have noted getting well medicated with zero visible vapor, but that's more of a low temp thing.) Off of the top of my head, let me ask two things: 1) How tight is your pack, and 2) is the bowl/grill "too hot to touch."

I have tried it with various packing "methods".
I have tried filling the bowl all the way with ground plant matter then putting in the glass jar to pack.
I have tried the above with the bowl only 1/2 filled initially.
I have tried filling the bowl full without any packing.
I have tried 50% capacity without packing also.

So far, I have received the best results from 100% full with no packing, but still it is not what I would like.

I got some advice about putting in some bud without cutting it up at all. I still haven't tried it. I also still haven't gotten my flowers yet. I will have to try that as well.

After prolonged use, yes, the bowl/grill gets too hot to touch for prolonged periods. I can maybe hold it in my bare hands for 30 seconds or so at that point before it becomes too hot.

The second thought might be the bowl just isn't heating properly. We had one user here with an early unit, that I think we concluded it just wasn't heating properly....We have discussed the heat on this issue previously, and I was able to reproduce @OF's findings on that unit and a few others now. This unit, once it gets to temp, it pretty spot on prior to draw. (Evacuation causes thermal drop._ Can you grab a TC and do a measurement on a load of ABV?

I will try to do this. Should be interesting.

 

[Norcalsun]

Sqaure glass beads can be found on Amazon, search
Miyuki 4mm Glass Cube Beads Color Mix Lavender Garden 10 Grams

 

[bassman]

Sqaure glass beads can be found on Amazon, search
Miyuki 4mm Glass Cube Beads Color Mix Lavender Garden 10 Grams

Thanks. Been looking for those.

 

[bean420]

I just received my ascent 2 days ago. I hate to say it but we are not at all pleased with the unit. We have read all of the comments and we are truly not the only people who have experienced problems with the vaporizer. What is your refund policy like?

 

[Reflections]

@bean420 here is a link where you can find info needed...

http://www.davincivaporizer.com/returns/

 

[CarolKing]

Been doing my homework:
I've been working hard on technique with the Ascent and have been getting some really good results. I've been keeping up with the thread and appreciate all the collaboration.

I load up using 6 or 7 glass flowers (glass pipe screens) the ones everybody have been using. Then I put in as much herb as I can fit in, then I top it off with cotton. I set the heat for 395 and work my way up through the session to 410, a session for me was 12 min.

I've done this 4 or 5 times so far and have been thoroughly medicated each time and the abv. is a dark brown, thoroughly extracted herb and I didn't use that much either.

Success, it feels so good! If only we didn't loose that vapor from the bottom.

 

[firstavailable]

Bean420, If you decide to return your Ascent, what are you thinking of getting instead of it?

 

[OF]

Success, it feels so good! If only we didn't loose that vapor from the bottom.

Thanks for the report, another example of (glass) Flower Power! We should put out a tee shirt.....tie dyed of course.

Thus far I think everyone has reported improved performance with the little darlings, now if we could only keep Nigel from breaking them.

Not sure to tell you about the vapor leak, except to point out that as long as you inhale there are no leaks..... Just don't stop?

OF

 

[nigel]

I load up using 6 or 7 glass flowers (glass pipe screens) the ones everybody have been using. Then I put in as much herb as I can fit in, then I top it off with cotton.

Are you using the cotton to keep small particles out of the stem? If not, a top layer of glass flowers should have better thermal retention. Jus' sayin'...

now if we could only keep Nigel from breaking them.

Physical impossibility, my friend. Physical impossibility.

 

[CarolKing]

Yes I am using a very thin layer of cotton on top to keep the screen clean. That's another thing that I learned on FC., one of the many household hints for your vaping pleasure. You smart and clever people could write a book.

 

[Norcalsun]

Can you just use cotton from a Qtip?

 

[CarolKing]

Yes, I think Qtips are 100% cotton. Check to make sure.

 

[bean420]

Bean420, If you decide to return your Ascent, what are you thinking of getting instead of it?

I have only used a few. What would you suggest? I puff a lot and it takes a good hit to get me started. All of the 7 glass stems and cotton in the ascent sounds crazy. Thanks so much for any help you can give me. v

Been doing my homework:
I've been working hard on technique with the Ascent and have been getting some really good results. I've been keeping up with the thread and appreciate all the collaboration.

I load up using 6 or 7 glass flowers (glass pipe screens) the ones everybody have been using. Then I put in as much herb as I can fit in, then I top it off with cotton. I set the heat for 395 and work my way up through the session to 410, a session for me was 12 min.

I've done this 4 or 5 times so far and have been thoroughly medicated each time and the abv. is a dark brown, thoroughly extracted herb and I didn't use that much either.

Success, it feels so good! If only we didn't loose that vapor from the bottom.

Thanks so much for your reply. I just think if you pay this much for a vaporizer it should work properly without the hassel of flowers and cotton. I am probably just going to try something else. Any suggestions?

Bean420, If you decide to return your Ascent, what are you thinking of getting instead of it?

Any suggestions?

@bean420 here is a link where you can find info needed...

http://www.davincivaporizer.com/returns/

Do you have any suggestions for a replacement? The return policy sounds all kinds of crazy. Nothing simple thats for sure. Glad I paid through Paypal.