Ascent Vaporizer by DaVinci

[sektr]

te="sektr, post: 531223, member: 9526"]To the people saying to use cotton to keep particulates out of my mouth when using this:

Does cotton not filter some cannabinoids out? Hence using crutches instead of cigarette filters when rolling joints?

Don't suck so hard and you will not have that problem.

I'm not even "sucking", anything more than the SLIGHTEST inhale nets me a few bits of smaller ground pieces in my mouth. It's unbelievable how shitty the glass screen is.

And I've used the MFLB and original DV, as well as a DBV, before, so I'm not an amateur to vapes, I understand draw technique, and the technique I have to use to avoid getting weed in my mouth doesn't produce clouds whatsoever. If I want a lot of vapor I have to pull a bit harder.

That being said, back to my cotton question...

 

[Baked55]

I agree when using with just the glass screen have to try way to hard not to get bits in my mouth. But I found when using the glass flowers on top I get nothing in my mouth. And yes the cotton is going to filter some stuff out. But once the cotton gets nice and caked on you can vape that and get everything you have been filtering out.

 

[sektr]

Also wanted to ask about a few things I've found weird:

1. There is a fair bit of wiggle on my glass mouthpiece when I pull it out. Normal?
2. The silicone cover around the mouthpiece caves in a little bit when pressure is applied. Normal?
3. I CANNOT turn off my Ascent when it's in the 3-step mode, has to complete the cycle and turn itself off. Normal?
4. After a certain amount of time, I cannot increase whatever the set temperature is in the standard bowl heating mode (i.e. starts at 385, want to move up to 400 halfway through, have to restart the device to get it to heat up more). Normal?

I feel like I got a defective unit, it's a Stealth with 1AA1 serial number...

 

[OF]

I did not say I wanted it to my standards. I said if the pathway is supposed to be airtight, mine is not and that means mine is not 100%. If it not supposed to be airtight, OK. No one has definitely said if its supposed to airtight, I'm still looking for an answer.

I'm sorry, perhaps a poor choice of words. The idea is I hope clear if you can get past that? My point was the sales contract leaves such determination to the maker.

As I said I think we've got the (fairly official) word on this, even if second hand:

I just sent Davinci an email asking why the plastic pathway isn't airtight. Wel'll see how long it takes to get a response/answer. I can not figure out why this pathway is not airtight, any ideas?

Here's my reply from Davinci-

I am sorry about that. This should not cause a defect to the unit and should supply you with enough vapor through the glass on glass vapor pathway.

My point was that while you (or anyone else) might consider reasonable (whatever that is) leaks a defect, the maker does not it seems.

I also think the seal around the sliding stem (which 'wiggles some') will degrade, the one that I looked at wasn't much of a seal by design and the OD of the tube poorly controlled.

And again, if you're not happy with it (or any other vape) for whatever reason that's what counts. IMO you should buy and use what satisfies you. Not every vape is right for every user.....or even close sometimes. No reflection there on either IMO.

OF

 

[proghead]

I did not say I wanted it to my standards. I said if the pathway is supposed to be airtight, mine is not and that means mine is not 100%. If it not supposed to be airtight, OK. No one has definitely said if its supposed to airtight, I'm still looking for an answer. Just because it works with an air leak doesn't mean it wouldn't work better without an air leak. If you are not concerned that's OK. When I buy something I want it 100%, not 98%, not 90%. Sorry if me doing this bothers you, I'm not trying to upset anyone. I posted some of my communications with Davinci because I thought others might be interested, this has been brought up several times. Ill just keep this to myself so not to upset any forum members. Sorry.

It's confusing and once again I still wish @Davinci_vaporizer would chime in about this one. --StraightChill

PLEASE do not underestimate the value of your or anyone's posts. By all means, let us continue our cordial and open sharing of info, issues and opinions!
Both future buyers and those like me that are still trying to figure how to get decent vapor out this Ascent appreciate it a lot. Thank YOU ALL!

 

[CarolKing]

Also wanted to ask about a few things I've found weird:

1. There is a fair bit of wiggle on my glass mouthpiece when I pull it out. Normal?
2. The silicone cover around the mouthpiece caves in a little bit when pressure is applied. Normal?
3. I CANNOT turn off my Ascent when it's in the 3-step mode, has to complete the cycle and turn itself off. Normal?
4. After a certain amount of time, I cannot increase whatever the set temperature is in the standard bowl heating mode (i.e. starts at 385, want to move up to 400 halfway through, have to restart the device to get it to heat up more). Normal?

I feel like I got a defective unit, it's a Stealth with 1AA1 serial number...

You may well indeed have a defective unit. By all means get a hold of DV and arrange for an RMA number.
The Ascent is expensive, you should be getting your money's worth.
1. I don't have much play with my stem.
2. My silicone mouthpiece area does not cave in.
3. I don't use the 3 step mode
4. ? Sounds like a defective feature possibly

 

[Norcalsun]

I just have not gotten a definitive answer- yes/no, pertaining to the plastic pathway. Davinci kinda talks around it. I've asked if it was supposed to be airtight or not- should be an easy question to answer. Davinci keeps referring the leaks around the glass stems, I know there will be leaks there. I still like this unit but if it isn't 100%, I'd like to know. I don't think that is too much to ask for. I still don't understand why some units are reported to be airtight and others are not, any ideas?
Now I heard from Davinci that all units have this air leak. Why are some people reporting that their unita are airtight? I'm just confused. If I had a choice I would want a unit with a air tight pathway.
Now Davinci just told me that should be airtight because its a single piece. They had no answers about why some are reporting leaks and others are reporting it to be airtight. I'm going to play around with my unit some more and see what I can come up with. Very confused.
I just put a plug in one end and and wedged a straw in the other end of the plastic pathway- it is airtight. The leaks are coming from the top and bottom where the plastic pathway tube meets the rubber seals at the top and bottom of the unit. I am now satisfied that the plastic tube is airtight regardless of whether its made of one or more pieces. This is now a non issue for me. I'm the type of person that wants answers when I don't understand something and see conflicting reports. I had to get to the bottom of this, and now I think I have. Also. davinci's customer service is very accommodating and I thank them for being patient. I'm glad this is over for me.

 

[CarolKing]

I left my Ascent out on a table today, forgot about it, luckily the stem was pushed in. My 91 year old mother was over and she saw it. She asked if it was an electric shaver. I told her it was, she picked it up and was looking mainly at the grill end. A good thing she has lost most of her sense of smell. I had her hand it to me so I could put it back in the bathroom. My sweet mom laughed and said, "you might need that later". I told her that I just might.

 

[OF]

I left my Ascent out on a table today, forgot about it, luckily the stem was pushed in. My 91 year old mother was over and she saw it. She asked if it was an electric shaver. I told her it was, she picked it up and was looking mainly at the grill end.

Close call, but wrong answer. You should have got red in the face and told here it's not for shaving beards..........

That'll learn 'er!

In another vein it's a true blessing that you have a 91 YO mother to be dodging. Thanks for sharing.

OF

 

[nigel]

First a general note:

I know I've mentioned this a few times off-handedly in passing, but never in this context. It didn't occur to me until I was on a trip and used the stock glass straw that it dawned on me (see below), I am doing something different from most (all?) of you. Or -- more specifically -- I knew I was doing something different, but didn't think much about it.

I have a complete set of accessories, some of which (after I broke one of my first U-GonG adapters playing with it) are untouched. But I use both of the straight adaptors. HOWEVER, not with a water tool, as I feel I loose some of the tasty tasty tasty tasty terps.

I'll upload photos of my EDC one of these days, but I have one or both of the straight GonG with me 95% of the time. I use them as straws as I just like the feel and heft much better.

So, I was on a trip the other day, and just had the stock straw-stem with me. (And one of the old ones, at that. See below.) I noticed a few things, including how loose it was (kept slipping down), the wobble, slightly harsher vapor, etc.

It dawns on me that using the GonG as a straw has some advantages:

First off, it seals the screen-stem down at the bottom.
Second, the vapor was "less harsh".
Third, more pure vapor. Perhaps thicker??
Fourth, due to the mass of the glass, it affected the quality of the vapor.
Fifth, it feels much more solid and stable.
Sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth.... I dunno. Ask me the next time I do a side-by-side with my two Ascents.

Point being is that the whole experience FELT distinctly different to what I've become so accustom to.

I will allow for the fact that, as I am more partial to the heft and feel of the heavier glass, that any perceived differences are in my head. I ask those of you that feel you are getting good production out of your unit and also have the straight GonG, to try a comparison and get back to me if you feel you notice a difference.

UNRELATED SIDENOTE: I think I am in the minority in really not liking the buddy rim. I feel the straw-stem burn my lips when I do that. Also, more harsh than the GonG. I'm glad I have it for sharing, but don't use it for myself.
To each, our own...

1. There is a fair bit of wiggle on my glass mouthpiece when I pull it out. Normal?
2. The silicone cover around the mouthpiece caves in a little bit when pressure is applied. Normal?
3. I CANNOT turn off my Ascent when it's in the 3-step mode, has to complete the cycle and turn itself off. Normal?
4. After a certain amount of time, I cannot increase whatever the set temperature is in the standard bowl heating mode (i.e. starts at 385, want to move up to 400 halfway through, have to restart the device to get it to heat up more). Normal?

1. There is a difference in stems. I have quite a few, and all of my early ones are thinner glass/not fitting as well. As per above, I don't use any of them but maybe 5% of the time, so I've ignored this up until now. This question is what reminded me of the above comments.

2. Not sure I understand this. In the IMMEDIATE area? Yes. Other places? Don't think so.

3. When I get into 3-step mode, that's (turning it off) the only way I can get out. I know... I know... RTFM. If I'm vaked enough to get into that mode, I'm not in a position to read myself out of it. I do think the three-step program is GREAT! but I will vary in the amount I use so much that I'd rather go off of taste/visible-vapor as indicator to temp-step.

4. No problem I've seen. I have access to 5 or more Ascents now (In addition to my stable, I *do* have IRL friends. ) The "after a certain amount of time" I find really confusing, as there is no reason software (or hardware) reason for this. This merits further investigation.

I've asked if it was supposed to be airtight or not- should be an easy question to answer.... I am now satisfied that the plastic tube is airtight regardless of whether its made of one or more pieces.

It is not supposed to be airtight. Nor is it supposed to NOT NOT be airtight.

As OF and PPro have pointed out, it is an issue of "path of least resistance" and a non-issue.

Some speculation passed off as assertion here (eg, fixed quantitate figure of air drawn across all of the electrons and evil nuclear waste, poison, and kryptonie on the inside (okay, the last is slight hyperbole on my part... But *I* at least make that clear...) that MUST be true) is baseless.

Just because one presumes something is true -- unhindered or otherwise un-constrained by any empirical data -- doesn't make it so.

Close call, but wrong answer. You should have got red in the face and told here it's not for shaving beards..........

Wait...what... OHHHHHHHHHH!
o_O

 

[Medical Mark]

Well Nigel

I have 4 ascent vapes the full collection stealth is dedicated to oil and works great but tends to overflow and get everything full of oil if filled to full but it produced great results that lasted a long.
I think the suction, the seal is better with the gong and the vapor path is wider not much but enough to
Create a different result.
I find the buddy rim never gives me a solid seal and its very awkward in my honest opinion.
So I agree with you Nigel.
I can get nice clouds out of my ascents but its all dependant on a tight pack but I do notice that a session starts off slow then starts hard and then after a while going through 380/410/430 its like there vapor
But its not really essentail vapor as I would say.
Its like the vapor lost its lustre and taste but still doesn't taste really burnt or anything but thers no punch that's when I give it Up and dump it out.

Here's a side note I ove the taste and effect of the ascent but my wife allways commits that this nit smells like shit she says it really stinks ut she says it doesn't stink Ike herb but like shit Lol.
She says that it doesn't smell Iike medicine even stating that if I was stopped by the Police she doesn't thin they would recognize the smell cause its smells like shit but tastes like heaven, that's my response every time. I sayi don't get it cause it tastes awesome and not like shit so maybe that's a good thing cause it works great. lol

Anyway I love the ascent its a great unit.

Cheers, medical mark

 

[nigel]

@Medical Mark good to hear you chime in! Missed you around these here parts!

Thanks for your input! I'm glad you are seeing (feeling? tasting? hearing? touching?) some of the exact issues I am.

I do (usually) keep one of my Ascents for special purposes. But not for extractions as I feel a lot of the terps are destroyed and I like my flower so much. I keep one Ascent for non-MMJ herbs. Problem is, some of those can have quite strong flavors I'd rather not have my normal flower inherit. Learned this the hard way. But I'll use it when I need side-by-side tests, even if they are different generations.

You go much higher in temp than I do. Then again, I'm more focused on flavor as the secondary benefit instead of cloud chasing. I try not to go above the Benzene boiling-point, as that is also about the point I can also taste the burnt popcorn (a taste I am sensitive to).

Not sure about the smelling like shit, but the taste is indeed like heaven!

 

[bassman]

Well Nigel

I have 4 ascent vapes the full collection stealth is dedicated to oil and works great but tends to overflow and get everything full of oil if filled to full but it produced great results that lasted a long.
I think the suction, the seal is better with the gong and the vapor path is wider not much but enough to
Create a different result.
I find the buddy rim never gives me a solid seal and its very awkward in my honest opinion.
So I agree with you Nigel.
I can get nice clouds out of my ascents but its all dependant on a tight pack but I do notice that a session starts off slow then starts hard and then after a while going through 380/410/430 its like there vapor
But its not really essentail vapor as I would say.
Its like the vapor lost its lustre and taste but still doesn't taste really burnt or anything but thers no punch that's when I give it Up and dump it out.

Here's a side note I ove the taste and effect of the ascent but my wife allways commits that this nit smells like shit she says it really stinks ut she says it doesn't stink Ike herb but like shit Lol.
She says that it doesn't smell Iike medicine even stating that if I was stopped by the Police she doesn't thin they would recognize the smell cause its smells like shit but tastes like heaven, that's my response every time. I sayi don't get it cause it tastes awesome and not like shit so maybe that's a good thing cause it works great. lol

Anyway I love the ascent its a great unit.

Cheers, medical mark

Your wife is right it smells like shit especially with fresh herb. After the initial hit the smell goes away. And I did get pulled over Christmas Eve and the police officer did not say a thing about smell because I was hitting it when he lit me up so to speak.

 

[nigel]

Alright... so I've been conducting tests....


Predominantly on straw extrusion levels for both the default and GonG.

(As I type, I'm doing an ABV extraction test between units right now, and a few more tests with bowl size/loading/etc...)

I find a few commonalities. @Medical Mark 's statement "I think the suction, the seal is better with the gong and the vapor path is wider not much but enough to Create a different result" to be on point. Especially the latter point.

There is a difference. And I think small changes do enhance the resultant outcome.

Additionally, I've been doing specific side-by-side tests on the devices. It *does* seem, that, regardless of straw, that >74% extrusion does have a noticeable negative effect. On the other hand, designers work around averages, and thus *most* users wouldn't extend this far.

The other end, at <26% extrusion, does have a minor impact, but not to a corresponding degree.
This tells me the device is working according to design.



I *do* (still believe) that I get better extraction from the GonG. But, I will still allow for that "observation" to be unduly influenced by my tastes and preferences.

I am just as positive my impression on the extrusion influence ISN'T.





[EDIT: yeah, the >(75-1) and the <(25+1) figures were, indeed meant as both approximations and a joke for the number nerds here. ]

 

[pakalolo]

I left my Ascent out on a table today, forgot about it, luckily the stem was pushed in. My 91 year old mother was over and she saw it. She asked if it was an electric shaver. I told her it was, she picked it up and was looking mainly at the grill end. A good thing she has lost most of her sense of smell. I had her hand it to me so I could put it back in the bathroom. My sweet mom laughed and said, "you might need that later". I told her that I just might.

Here here. We have a rule you know:

• This forum is for mature adults only. We don’t want to hear about you needing to hide things from your parents.

 

[hitmeman]

Also wanted to ask about a few things I've found weird:

1. There is a fair bit of wiggle on my glass mouthpiece when I pull it out. Normal?
2. The silicone cover around the mouthpiece caves in a little bit when pressure is applied. Normal?
3. I CANNOT turn off my Ascent when it's in the 3-step mode, has to complete the cycle and turn itself off. Normal?
4. After a certain amount of time, I cannot increase whatever the set temperature is in the standard bowl heating mode (i.e. starts at 385, want to move up to 400 halfway through, have to restart the device to get it to heat up more). Normal?

I feel like I got a defective unit, it's a Stealth with 1AA1 serial number...

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLUM WITH MINE.Going on my third ascent.

 

[Saneman]

Hey all,

Still getting to grips with my ascent, im just cooking it at 410 for about 10mins, taking like 5 big long draw hits and then dumping it when its brown. Bad idea? could i be getting more out of my loads?

Also, how often should i be cleaning this thing? What can i clean it with? i dont have any isopropyl alcohol lying around anywhere, i have like a bong/pipe cleaning formula which just looks like washing up liquid mixed in water, is that ok?

I'm a vape noob, was only using magic flight prior to the ascent

 

[CarolKing]

Hey all,

Still getting to grips with my ascent, im just cooking it at 410 for about 10mins, taking like 5 big long draw hits and then dumping it when its brown. Bad idea? could i be getting more out of my loads?

Also, how often should i be cleaning this thing? What can i clean it with? i dont have any isopropyl alcohol lying around anywhere, i have like a bong/pipe cleaning formula which just looks like washing up liquid mixed in water, is that ok?

I'm a vape noob, was only using magic flight prior to the ascent

Do you fill up the whole bowl? If you do you must be going through the herb quick. Are you not able to get more vapor before you dump it out? I use very little herb and with the glass pipe screens in, (the small glass flowers) with the Ascent I go for a 12 minute session. I never count how many draws I get but probably a draw every 40 seconds to a minute. I think I get probably around 15 or so draws maybe a little more or a little less per session. You may have large lung capacity with your draw, but if you're filling up the bowl, that's a lot of herb.

With the Ascent you have to wait for the bowl to heat up after the last draw. So if you draw too quick after your last draw the bowl and the herb won't have sufficient time to get hot enough to create the vapor. For me after my last draw it takes about 30 seconds.

Be careful, iso can leak into the area under the bowl, same with any liquid like water. There are some new cleaners out, but I'm not familiar with them. Some other members may want to weigh in on how they clean their Ascents. I clean my glass with iso and I've just been using a dry q-tip to wipe out the bowl area. It's getting a little stained. It's not too bad though.

I do clean the area above the bowl with just a tiny bit of iso on a q-tip ( the silicone area where the glass mouthpiece inserts with the screen).

Those of you sucking in herb, don't grind so fine, or try using a little organic cotton or hemp fiber.

 

[proghead]

probably a draw every 40 seconds to a minute. I think I get probably around 15 or so draws maybe a little more or a little less per session. You may have large lung capacity with your draw, but if you're filling up the bowl, that's a lot of herb.
With the Ascent you have to wait for the bowl to heat up after the last draw. So if you draw too quick after your last draw the bowl and the herb won't have sufficient time to get hot enough to create the vapor. For me after my last draw it takes about 30 seconds. Pinnacle Pro

THANKS that might be exactly what I was missing. (Still struggling to produce good vapor even after adding the crystal flowers).

...a session starts off slow then starts hard and then after a while going through 380/410/430 its like there vapor...Medical Mark.

PLEASE Pinnacle Pro, Medical Mark and others:

I know it will vary with strain, moisture, etc. but give us an idea of length of each the phases of the "starts off slow then starts hard and then...".

Also, what is usually the peak vapor cloud time? Is it for example a 2 minute peak time from the 1 minute 30 seconds mark to the 3:30, a 1 minute peak between 4:00 and 5:00 minutes or what?

Thanks!

 

[Osn Dosn]

Wouldn't measure the peak vapor cloud time in time.. there's a certain amount of vapor that can be produced out of your material, so if you're after the most dense and contentful vapor the best way is probably to start off at a high temp - 200-max °C depending on material - and the one after the initial draw should be the most intense if your doing it right
and the key here is as said time to heat it all up thoroughly and even(glass flowers and correct packing help) before and between every hit, and draw really slowly.

To me that is drawing as slowly as I can while retaining a consisting draw, with some pausing in one go following faster draws when coming to the end..of one draw, inhale deeper along with some fresh air that allows you not to breath a bit longer, hold, exhale, yay.

Regarding the temperature phases what I do is: never using the 3level preset, as there are too many variables. If I'm not in a hurry or use a tiny amount I start off at 360F, staying there as long as the fresh green taste goes, 3-5 draws, then 390F, how long is again depending on taste and as I've got really visable vapor in that range depending on when the clouds get softer too, then level 3: 410°F - max, depending on material - until it tastes like roasted toast.

What I'm still not sure about: you get different effects out of your herb in different temp ranges, but if I go through it starting low and heating it up until nothings left - isn't it the same effect as if I would have gotten to the max from the start?!

PS: anyone ever noticed the magnetic parts of the Ascent ^^ ?
PS2: on sessions +10mins my unit gets frightening hot, especially with the glass flowers..combusting lithium cells with the chance of an explosion in the sealed case..in your face..not so funny

 

[CarolKing]

THANKS that might be exactly what I was missing. (Still struggling to produce good vapor even after adding the crystal flowers).




PLEASE Pinnacle Pro, Medical Mark and others:

I know it will vary with strain, moisture, etc. but give us an idea of length of each the phases of the "starts off slow then starts hard and then...".

Also, what is usually the peak vapor cloud time? Is it for example a 2 minute peak time from the 1 minute 30 seconds mark to the 3:30, a 1 minute peak between 4:00 and 5:00 minutes or what?

Thanks!

For me the best vapor is after the first minute or two, it produces real well until the last minute or two, my session is about 12 min long. Use a very slow draw. With this unit, slow and steady wins the race. I don't use the preset levels myself, there are too many variables, I agree with Osn Dosn.

 

[proghead]

For me the best vapor is after the first minute or two, it produces real well until the last minute or two, my session is about 12 min long. Use a very slow draw. With this unit, slow and steady wins the race. I don't use the preset levels myself, there are too many variables, I agree with Osn Dosn.

Thanks, I much appreciate your taking the time to continue helping out!

 

[CarolKing]

The Ascent is my vape I use at the end of the day when I'm lounging on my couch watching TV. I don't have to worry about a cord, herb falling out of my unit, mouthpiece falling out breaking. It's so easy to do.

Also for folks that are ill with various health issues, this is a great portable to be able to have in bed, if they need cannabis to help treat their illness. A person wouldn't have to use the tiny glass flowers, folks have had good luck with the glass oil can.

Some months back I bought some 100% glass beads at Michaels craft store. I can fit 1 in the bowl and have gotten some very good vapor, but not much info on the package - only made in China, so didn't want to continue to use because of course they aren't made for using in a pipe or vaporizer. The bead didn't crack and seemed to hold up fine.

Could it be harmful to use? Could there be anything toxic to breathe in?

 

[turk]

....I always got vapor from my unit without the use of beads or anything...the annoying part was because the flowers moved around in the chamber I had to constantly open and stir...and re-pack down...I now use the glass "can" without top to keep down...this method is fine for me...I receive really tasty/great hits starting at 380...

 

[jkwarrior200]

Hi guys I have a quick few questions
1. When you guys draw do you hear swooshing type noise? I hear a noise like the air coming out and into the mouth but not sure?
2. Also when you guys draw do you guys have any resistance? Or feel like you have to pull a litter harder?