Ascent Vaporizer by DaVinci

[spacelooper]

Hey DaVinci Guys,
I recently purchased an Ascent. My first vape was a Silver Surfer (which I still love), my first portable, a MFLB (which I absolutely hated), and an Arizer Solo. I truly love the Solo and feel it is a near perfect portable for me. My ONLY complaint is that it is not stealthy enough to puff at a club or out and about. After a good amount of research and even using the Ascent at a friends house... I decided on purchasing the Ascent. When the unit arrived I was blown away at the horrid, "toxic" rubber/silicone/plastic scent. I dry hit the unit and it tasted like cancer. I pretty much immediately emailed Da Vinci to let them know that I received the unit and voiced my concerns. The reply was that there was silicone in the unit and to charge the unit for 10 hours and do 5 10 minute burn in sessions at 430. After my 10 hour charge time, which seemed like an eternity when you have a new vape , I began the 10 minute burn in sessions. My next concern was the strong , almost electronic scent that emitted from the bottom of the unit. I finished my burn in sessions and really didn't feel that it did much. At this point it was 1:30 in the morning and I really didn't feel like, nor did I truly feel comfortable, smoking out if it yet. Before going to bed I shined a flashlight into the grill at the bottom of the unit and noticed that the circuit board is literally right next to the ceramic bowl and positioned conveniently beside the 4 little holes in the ceramic bowl... how would I not be inhaling "whatever" from that circuit board with every hit? I probably wouldn't even be concerned had the smell not been so off putting and what I associate with things like rubber tires, the bottoms of sandles, and cheap rubber products from China. After seeing this unit is manufactured in China my main concerns are now safety. The unit seems and feels very well made and I love the design. It's just that the few little concerns I have aren't really that little to me. I am , at this point, 80-90% likely to send the unit back for a refund and I haven't even hit it . This is a real drag as I wasa really wanting this vape...it seemed to fit alot of my needs in a portable on paper.
Have any of you guys that own Da Vinci's had similar experiences or had concerns and they went away? I guess even if the taste and smell would dissipate I am still a bit concerned about the circuit board being heated and right in the air path. I have scoured this thread and found answers to some questions and answers that bring more questions. I am trying to decide what to do with the unit as I have 14 days to do a refund.
One of my biggest concerns in a vape is a clean pure air path. I didn't feel like the Ascent offered that with the glass being surrounded and encased by a silicone or rubber product that actually puts off a flavor. Is the Ascent just not there yet? What are the options? The Solo has been the cleanest, most satisfying portable I have used... but I do have a need for a more stealthy unit at times. Is there a "portable" option out there for guys that are "clean freaks" so to speak? I haven't seen much...the miVape looks promising but I don't know much about it and I don't think it comes out til May...but we all know how new vapes are....until they are in the hands of customers and being used and tested, they might as well be fantasy. Just not sure what current options are. The Ascent was one of the first claiming a pure, all glass air path (which is a big concern to me) and I felt that it didn't deliver there. Any suggestions or recommendations?
Thanks,
Todd

 

[Reflections]

I have an ascent and the smell did go away after 3..4...5 burnoffs and an iso cleaning.. the only circuit board i can see is thru the grill on bottom... Try looking at the firefly thread... good luck

 

[CarolKing]

Maybe the Ascent isn't for you? Since you haven't vaped with it. You only did burn offs, possible you can get your money back. Sorry, it's a bummer, you're probably pretty disappointed. Good luck finding the right unit for you.

The folks on FC are really helpful, you've come to the right place.

I have the Ascent, it had a electrical plastic taste in the beginning. I kept doing burn offs. It still had a hint of that taste the first time I vaped herb but went away after about my fourth time I used it. Once you put herb in it, for sure you wouldn't get your money back.

The Ascent does take a little while to get the hang of it. But when you do, its a great little unit that really does the job. It has great vapor taste and is easy to use on the go. I bought the WT adapter, it works good as a mouthpiece.

 

[Tony Hemp]

Hey DaVinci Guys,
I recently purchased an Ascent. My first vape was a Silver Surfer (which I still love), my first portable, a MFLB (which I absolutely hated), and an Arizer Solo. I truly love the Solo and feel it is a near perfect portable for me. My ONLY complaint is that it is not stealthy enough to puff at a club or out and about. After a good amount of research and even using the Ascent at a friends house... I decided on purchasing the Ascent. When the unit arrived I was blown away at the horrid, "toxic" rubber/silicone/plastic scent. I dry hit the unit and it tasted like cancer. I pretty much immediately emailed Da Vinci to let them know that I received the unit and voiced my concerns. The reply was that there was silicone in the unit and to charge the unit for 10 hours and do 5 10 minute burn in sessions at 430. After my 10 hour charge time, which seemed like an eternity when you have a new vape , I began the 10 minute burn in sessions. My next concern was the strong , almost electronic scent that emitted from the bottom of the unit. I finished my burn in sessions and really didn't feel that it did much. At this point it was 1:30 in the morning and I really didn't feel like, nor did I truly feel comfortable, smoking out if it yet. Before going to bed I shined a flashlight into the grill at the bottom of the unit and noticed that the circuit board is literally right next to the ceramic bowl and positioned conveniently beside the 4 little holes in the ceramic bowl... how would I not be inhaling "whatever" from that circuit board with every hit? I probably wouldn't even be concerned had the smell not been so off putting and what I associate with things like rubber tires, the bottoms of sandles, and cheap rubber products from China. After seeing this unit is manufactured in China my main concerns are now safety. The unit seems and feels very well made and I love the design. It's just that the few little concerns I have aren't really that little to me. I am , at this point, 80-90% likely to send the unit back for a refund and I haven't even hit it . This is a real drag as I wasa really wanting this vape...it seemed to fit alot of my needs in a portable on paper.
Have any of you guys that own Da Vinci's had similar experiences or had concerns and they went away? I guess even if the taste and smell would dissipate I am still a bit concerned about the circuit board being heated and right in the air path. I have scoured this thread and found answers to some questions and answers that bring more questions. I am trying to decide what to do with the unit as I have 14 days to do a refund.
One of my biggest concerns in a vape is a clean pure air path. I didn't feel like the Ascent offered that with the glass being surrounded and encased by a silicone or rubber product that actually puts off a flavor. Is the Ascent just not there yet? What are the options? The Solo has been the cleanest, most satisfying portable I have used... but I do have a need for a more stealthy unit at times. Is there a "portable" option out there for guys that are "clean freaks" so to speak? I haven't seen much...the miVape looks promising but I don't know much about it and I don't think it comes out til May...but we all know how new vapes are....until they are in the hands of customers and being used and tested, they might as well be fantasy. Just not sure what current options are. The Ascent was one of the first claiming a pure, all glass air path (which is a big concern to me) and I felt that it didn't deliver there. Any suggestions or recommendations?
Thanks,
Todd

Hey Todd, sorry to hear that you're not happy with your ascent. I can tell you from recent, personal experience that what you experienced isn't uncommon with the ascent. When I first received my unit I was ecstatic because I'm a flavor junkie, I love clean and good flavors. I went from using the original davinci which I feel always carries a rubber taste, so I was ready for he ascent.

When I first opened the box I was overtaken by fumes and strings chemical odors, but like any electronic that's to be expected. I read around threads and saw to do my burn offs, I was determined not to try it until that smell was gone. I'd say I did two days of burn ins just constantly running it at 430 until it shut off, then again, then again. Finally I gave in and packed it up. There was a slight silicone taste, very light taste though. I was more disappointed that I couldn't get great vapor production and I was immediately let down.

I then did some searching around on techniques and tricks and found the right ways to pack and hit it. I can honestly say that was the best thing I could've done was read into it because I was ready to send it back to davinci. Not only did the rubber taste and smell go away, but it was producing amazing vapes. I was very happy with the ascent, and then it went out on me so now I miss it dearly. I hope to have it back by next week.

I guess my point is, if it's what you're looking for stealthwise, the flavor is there. The rubber stuff will dissipate once it's cured. And you'll be very happy with it. You just have to decide if the juice is worth the squeeze. I think it is, but you have the touch decision on whether to use it and give it a go or send it back. Good luck with your decision, hope this helps.

 

[Norcalsun]

I was very skeptical after first recieving my Ascent also. After a couple burn offs, cleanings with iso, and vape sessions there was no more off putting smells or tastes. I'm happy with the unit now but definitely still tweaking my technique. I don't use it exclusively or even everyday but I'm glad I have it for when It fits my needs. I would like to eventually just vape.

 

[Aner]

Sadly, I am very disappointed with my new Ascent Vaporizer - I have had TREMENDOUS hope. The primary issues are


1. The buttons are semi-impossible if not totally impossible to use. In the effort to be ingenious and sleek, the buttons are recessed. However, unfortunately, they are ultra cheap. The result is that they are semi-impossible to access – painful to use, often get stuck and often simply don't work. Currently the Settings button is stuck. Currently the On/Off button is not working. In contrast the buttons on the DaVinci were fabulous. I would give up sleek for actually functionality.


2. Somehow perhaps because of the buttons I am often throwing it into other than desired settings and thus not able to easily adjust the temp on the fly - or even at all. The DaVinci was so simple, I never had a problem.



As a positive -

The bowl is BIG! And easy to access. This is a great improvement over the DaVinci.


However, I note that the horrible plasticy smell is definitely been present and despite having run through several cycles has not gone away. I cannot imagine the chemicals are causing this. Only with the use of highly pungent material has this not been noticeable; HOWEVER, I am concerned that it is simply covering up all the toxic elements.


Unfortunatly, other than staying with the DaVinci, I don't really know anything better....

 

[chester222]

Sadly, I am very disappointed with my new Ascent Vaporizer - I have had TREMENDOUS hope. The primary issues are


1. The buttons are semi-impossible if not totally impossible to use. In the effort to be ingenious and sleek, the buttons are recessed. However, unfortunately, they are ultra cheap. The result is that they are semi-impossible to access – painful to use, often get stuck and often simply don't work. Currently the Settings button is stuck. Currently the On/Off button is not working. In contrast the buttons on the DaVinci were fabulous. I would give up sleek for actually functionality.


2. Somehow perhaps because of the buttons I am often throwing it into other than desired settings and thus not able to easily adjust the temp on the fly - or even at all. The DaVinci was so simple, I never had a problem.



As a positive -

The bowl is BIG! And easy to access. This is a great improvement over the DaVinci.


However, I note that the horrible plasticy smell is definitely been present and despite having run through several cycles has not gone away. I cannot imagine the chemicals are causing this. Only with the use of highly pungent material has this not been noticeable; HOWEVER, I am concerned that it is simply covering up all the toxic elements.


Unfortunatly, other than staying with the DaVinci, I don't really know anything better....

That sounds like a return. Model? How long you had it?

 

[Tony Hemp]

Sadly, I am very disappointed with my new Ascent Vaporizer - I have had TREMENDOUS hope. The primary issues are


1. The buttons are semi-impossible if not totally impossible to use. In the effort to be ingenious and sleek, the buttons are recessed. However, unfortunately, they are ultra cheap. The result is that they are semi-impossible to access – painful to use, often get stuck and often simply don't work. Currently the Settings button is stuck. Currently the On/Off button is not working. In contrast the buttons on the DaVinci were fabulous. I would give up sleek for actually functionality.


2. Somehow perhaps because of the buttons I am often throwing it into other than desired settings and thus not able to easily adjust the temp on the fly - or even at all. The DaVinci was so simple, I never had a problem.



As a positive -

The bowl is BIG! And easy to access. This is a great improvement over the DaVinci.


However, I note that the horrible plasticy smell is definitely been present and despite having run through several cycles has not gone away. I cannot imagine the chemicals are causing this. Only with the use of highly pungent material has this not been noticeable; HOWEVER, I am concerned that it is simply covering up all the toxic elements.


Unfortunatly, other than staying with the DaVinci, I don't really know anything better....

Sorry to hear about that. I agree it might be a return situation, but I ran my unit empty for days before I used it. Several sessions with or without the bowl filled isn't enough. You want to burn any factory dusts or additives off as well as cure the silicon. I assure you it goes away, mine smelled like a brand new set of shoes until I ran it probably 15 times on empty and full temp until I even attempted to use it. After the dry runs and a couple full I couldn't smell it anywhere, even on the outside of the unit where the rubber on the stealth model is. That's another thing to take into account all that rubber in the outside and by the mouthpiece also stinks, even though that will never get into your vapors. As with all good things, it just takes time and practice.

 

[CarolKing]

Sadly, I am very disappointed with my new Ascent Vaporizer - I have had TREMENDOUS hope. The primary issues are


1. The buttons are semi-impossible if not totally impossible to use. In the effort to be ingenious and sleek, the buttons are recessed. However, unfortunately, they are ultra cheap. The result is that they are semi-impossible to access – painful to use, often get stuck and often simply don't work. Currently the Settings button is stuck. Currently the On/Off button is not working. In contrast the buttons on the DaVinci were fabulous. I would give up sleek for actually functionality.


2. Somehow perhaps because of the buttons I am often throwing it into other than desired settings and thus not able to easily adjust the temp on the fly - or even at all. The DaVinci was so simple, I never had a problem.



As a positive -

The bowl is BIG! And easy to access. This is a great improvement over the DaVinci.


However, I note that the horrible plasticy smell is definitely been present and despite having run through several cycles has not gone away. I cannot imagine the chemicals are causing this. Only with the use of highly pungent material has this not been noticeable; HOWEVER, I am concerned that it is simply covering up all the toxic elements.


Unfortunatly, other than staying with the DaVinci, I don't really know anything better....

It sounds like a return, you've got more than one issue going on. Email and get an RMA# so you can send the unit back. Customer Service has been really good for most folks. Hopefully turnaround time won't be too long. Most of the time the smell goes away, but you may have problems with your on and off switch and temp controls. Good luck.

 

[spacelooper]

Thanks for the replies guys. I have continued doing burn ins and still no real change. I think I am most likely going to try and get a refund. I just feel that this smell/taste I am experiencing isn't going to go away. I wonder if ,in a lot of cases ,the flowers used by guys is just masking the taste/smell. I have had other items like this from China and the scent never disappears. Certain people are a lot more sensitive to scents etc than others.... I am one of those guys.
I guess I am just out of luck until something else comes along....at this stage the miVape is my next hope. The Firefly just isn't quite there for me either. Doesn't really look like a stealth unit and I hate that it doesn't have temp control. In the meantime I do have my Solo, which is still the king of the heap as far as I'm concerned in regards to portables. I will just refrain from vaping in more "public" places. The Solo is definitely portable enough to take places. It just doesn't do the "toss in a pocket and hit the road" vape very well.... which honestly my needs for this type of vape are few and far between. I would just like to have one for those rare occasions. I have taken my Solo on vacation many a time.... actually almost every time, and it travels wonderfully.
There are so many more portable vape options out there and even more on the horizon.... this is a great thing, however there still isn't "the one'... maybe the next one.

 

[turk]

...I do believe that some folks are more sensitive to smells than others...this has come up at my job too....I do not believe my sense of smell is as acute as others...my ascent has never revealed any smell to me after the 1st day..my unit is only used as a portable and there are some days I never even use it...hope you have satisfactory conclusion....

 

[chester222]

My stealth stank like shit. My carbon fiber working well

Go canada

 

[turk]

....portables are more inherently "problematic "..IMO ...although they are evolving daily...not sure they can stand-up to the home units...yet....but they do serve a purpose...

 

[spacelooper]

chester222 interesting.... I too, have the stealth. You saw a considerable difference between the Stealth and the Carbon Fiber in terms of oder and taste? Has anyone else noticed that? I guess I could ask them as Da Vinci if some units are worse than others in that regard. Although, to be honest it seems to me to be the rubber that is inside the mouth area, down through the tube and around the screen area and bowl that is the culprit. I would think that would be pretty universal in all the units. I could definitely be wrong though.

 

[chester222]

chester222 interesting.... I too, have the stealth. You saw a considerable difference between the Stealth and the Carbon Fiber in terms of oder and taste? Has anyone else noticed that? I guess I could ask them as Da Vinci if some units are worse than others in that regard. Although, to be honest it seems to me to be the rubber that is inside the mouth area, down through the tube and around the screen area and bowl that is the culprit. I would think that would be pretty universal in all the units. I could definitely be wrong though.

Stealths IMO just aren't made that well. Carbon fiber I have after a few burn offs has no smell that I can tell. My stealth had vapor coming out of it even nothing was in it....

 

[Osn Dosn]

Sorry but could you please stop spreading that nonsense?

The style of the outer sticker foil has of course no impact on anything. Your impression might come from more reported defects of 'stealth' units as there are more and they were the first delivered.. this has been mentioned a couple of times to you and you still don't get it.. I don't get that, sorry

 

[CarolKing]

The only thing different with these newer models are the outside. They put the cosmetics on last.

I have a stealth and at this point I have had no issues. I have had the unit since October. That is your opinion not fact. I like the looks of the Carbon Fiber, very sharp.

 

[poonman]

This was posted in the Solo thread , but they had some nice things to say about the Ascent , especially in the flavor profile .

 

[nigel]

difference between the Stealth and the Carbon Fiber in terms of oder and taste?

There is a difference (potentially) between the Stealth and the Carbon Fiber units: The Stealth was the first off of the production lines and has been in production ever since. The Carbon Fiber is a new edition.

So, someone can have a CF and there is NO chance of it being an "older unit." Someone could have a Stealth and it was purchased way back in the original run, or it could have been an early unit in distribution channels that was sitting on a shelf for a while before being sold at a store.

But, yeah, if you were to order either one from DV right now, you'd get current units, and there would be no difference between the two units.

 

[chester222]

It's not non sense it came out of 2 different da vinci representatives mouths. Trust me first models produced are always different than the next batch. This is common practice in all electronics.

Latest produced batch according to da vinci themselves are the skull and carbon fiber. Call davinci and ask. I can tell u several differences between my original stealth and new carbon model. The hinge is higher quality, the silicone seems different. The magnetic pull is different on the bowl. It's just a different batch. That's why they keep model numbers. This is industry practice since 1960's.


That being said NEW stealths if manufactured in a new batch would be the same as carbon fibers. But according to davinci that's not the case.


Source: da vinci and background in wholesale electronics.

 

[Aner]

Gentlemen - Thanks for the input. I will be working with DV to correct the problem. I am good with trying a different model - I like how that looked but I do understand that it is likely just cosmetic. Maybe I got an original model??

BTW - I have had for about two weeks max - let it burn for a few days first. Yeah, the controls are a total mess.

BTW2 - Definitely want to control the temp - this is critical actually - different herb requires different heat.

 

[CarolKing]

Gentlemen - Thanks for the input. I will be working with DV to correct the problem. I am good with trying a different model - I like how that looked but I do understand that it is likely just cosmetic. Maybe I got an original model??

BTW - I have had for about two weeks max - let it burn for a few days first. Yeah, the controls are a total mess.

BTW2 - Definitely want to control the temp - this is critical actually - different herb requires different heat.

So you did buy your vape from DV. Customer Service will take care of things for you. DV said they had gotten rid of all their original botched Ascents, (from Aug., Sept.)that they had originally came out with. The spokesperson came on this thread and stated that.

I didn't send my original Ascent back until Oct., that's when they received the replacements units.

Recently DV came on and said they are still struggling with the wires around the latch that have some problems. Which is the reason for quite a few returns still.

 

[Norcalsun]

It's not non sense it came out of 2 different da vinci representatives mouths. Trust me first models produced are always different than the next batch. This is common practice in all electronics.

Latest produced batch according to da vinci themselves are the skull and carbon fiber. Call davinci and ask. I can tell u several differences between my original stealth and new carbon model. The hinge is higher quality, the silicone seems different. The magnetic pull is different on the bowl. It's just a different batch. That's why they keep model numbers. This is industry practice since 1960's.


That being said NEW stealths if manufactured in a new batch would be the same as carbon fibers. But according to davinci that's not the case.


Source: da vinci and background in wholesale electronics.

Do you happen to know the new models numbers?

 

[chester222]

Do you happen to know the new models numbers?

My stealth is 1aa1 0101xx and my carbon fiber is 1aa1 0151xx

 

[spacelooper]

My Da Vinci was ordered directly from Da Vinci last Tuesday and arrived to me on Friday. I ordered the Stealth unit. The rubber/plastic/silicone scent as well as the electronic smell that emits from the bottom of the unit when it is heated is just too much. It is the same scent I associate with cheap, unsafe materials. This is my biggest concern is the safety of ingesting these various off putting smells. As I mentioned, the unit looks like a quality unit and feels solid enough, but to be honest I don't know what kind of testing or safety departments these types of units are required to go through. As a consumer I have to look out for #1... When I smell or taste questionable things like this on a product meant for ingesting....red flags go off. Especially when the unit is made in China. Da Vinci could be the greatest company on earth... but I don't know that. I did send a reply voicing my concerns about the materials and didn't receive much to help ease my mind. Although he did mention doing burn offs etc he never really tells me what the materials are in the unit... if they are safe for ingesting etc. To be honest I am not as concerned with the manufacturing residue as I am the manufacturing materials.

"The unit does have silicone in it. I recommend doing burn offs. Turn the unit on to its highest temperature for 10 minutes about 5 times. This should get rid of any type of manufacturing residue. This is all the information I have on this."

I can't help but think, though that all Da Vinci's are like this.... It just makes me wonder if some guys just don't notice it or care. I am not saying this in a negative way.... it just may not register with some guys.

I am hoping to hear back from Da Vinci today to see about the refund etc. I really do hate sending the unit back, as there are a lot of things I really like about the unit and it does seem like a fairly solid piece. I did more burn offs last night and no change....the smells are still overpowering. .... I did have a dream last night that the original name of the unit was the "A Scent" .... true story ( about the dream).