Ascent Vaporizer by DaVinci

[CheeseHead]

I'm getting a replacement Solo sent out (wasn't from vapefiend), and just thought I would go with an Ascent as a backup, turns out I need a backup for my backup.

No risk, vapefiend and the Solo vendor both seem to provide very good customer service, so don't think i'll have any issues getting replacements / repairs, but i'd rather it not come to that. When you spend this amount on a device, i would expect it to work for more than 2 weeks (Solo) or 1 use (Ascent) before developing any faults.

Could be just luck I suppose, only time will tell how well the replacement(s) will hold up.

Not sure if I even need to return the Ascent now, as it seems to be working fine, however I wouldn't want to be stuck if the screen were to just stop working again, i'll maybe test run it over the weekend and see if it needs to be returned.

 

[Norcalsun]

Sometimes when electronics shut off or controls and screens stop working, you can do a reset by turning the unit off then back on. I know I've seen this happen with DVD/ Bluray players, TV's, etc. Afterwards they continue to function properly. Hope you got a good unit, it is a very good portable vaporizer.

 

[CheriePie]

@CarolKing question for ya...
you said you were using a fine layer of cotton in your Ascent. Wanted to try this myself but was having trouble with how much and where to place it. Tried a really fine layer, or so I thought it was, but by the time I packed it on top of the bud in the bowl, it was no longer as see-through (due of course to it being compacted along the sides, etc.)

I was wondering if you can still see your bud thru the cotton after you've packed it on top, or if you're maybe not even placing the cotton in the bowl itself but along the bottom of the glass screen above?

Any issues with removing it at the end of the session?


ETA - alright I'm going in!

 

[Aelio]

Last night all I did was pack down a smaller portion, using included pick tool, until bowl was about half way full, and it was hitting like a beast. No real thinking to it... It wasn't super packed either just pushed down.

I either have really good luck or material but man was it awesome. Bowls packed like this prevent much of anything forming on the glass since no material is touching it. Couple spurts of an air duster afterwards and it looked like nothing had even been vaped ^_^

 

[adamm]

What is this air leak at the buddy rim people speak of? Do you guys mean the slight gap that can be exposed when pulling the mouthpiece up which allows you to see into the internals just a tiny bit?

I'm not really sure how it has an effect on it? I can't see air from in there ending up in your lungs if thats what we are saying.. I mean I dunno, this is my first decent vape but just applying a bit of common sense. If what I am speaking of is correct I don't see it as an issue myself.

Personally I love mine now I have mastered it, good vapour production and I don't feel there is any waiting time, asin I can take a drag and by the time I have blown the vapour out there is more ready for me, so much so I have been keeping my finger on the mouthpiece to save me wasting any between hits.

The only issue I have is the silicone lip on the bottom part of the top section breaking up slightly but I feel this has had no negative impact on its functionality.

 

[CheriePie]

@CarolKing question for ya...
you said you were using a fine layer of cotton in your Ascent. Wanted to try this myself but was having trouble with how much and where to place it. Tried a really fine layer, or so I thought it was, but by the time I packed it on top of the bud in the bowl, it was no longer as see-through (due of course to it being compacted along the sides, etc.)

I was wondering if you can still see your bud thru the cotton after you've packed it on top, or if you're maybe not even placing the cotton in the bowl itself but along the bottom of the glass screen above?

Any issues with removing it at the end of the session?


ETA - alright I'm going in!

I got it... I think! The one thing I noticed is: DO NOT touch the cotton after you've filtered with it and still got a good bowl in there cuz it'll all get stuck to your fingers (or your pick, or your ceramic tweezers) mighty quick! (i've also read that the Vape Scrape tool is a good thing to have here, avail via Amazon or PuffitUp.com)

What is this air leak at the buddy rim people speak of? Do you guys mean the slight gap that can be exposed when pulling the mouthpiece up which allows you to see into the internals just a tiny bit?

I'm not really sure how it has an effect on it? I can't see air from in there ending up in your lungs if thats what we are saying.. I mean I dunno, this is my first decent vape but just applying a bit of common sense. If what I am speaking of is correct I don't see it as an issue myself.

Personally I love mine now I have mastered it, good vapour production and I don't feel there is any waiting time, asin I can take a drag and by the time I have blown the vapour out there is more ready for me, so much so I have been keeping my finger on the mouthpiece to save me wasting any between hits.

The only issue I have is the silicone lip on the bottom part of the top section breaking up slightly but I feel this has had no negative impact on its functionality.

I have to agree with your post @adamm

I'm a 2 week old owner of an Ascent. I own two now actually, but only cuz I got such a good price on the 2nd one, with full warranty too, that I couldn't pass it up in the color I wish I'd gotten in the first place.

If you recall, I got my first one directly from DaVinci, was concerned about the early serial number, as well as the slight gap where the bottom swivel part meets the top half (see these pics: *pic1* and *pic2*). Come to find out, that alone contributed to a very minor air leak, one I barely noticed in my original model, but now that I have one that's better sealed in that area, I can see the density of my clouds thickened. (Could also be that I'm playing with an organic cotton filter now too.)

Also, I can get several good sessions out of a pack, even a half pack as you stated above. Though if it's a fluffy strain, I often have to repack the puck after the first few hits). I also haven't found a significant difference using the glass flowers as opposed to without, still getting evenly browned ABV and enough vapor either way. This was the case in my orig silver skulls from DV as well as my 2nd carbon fiber unit. I've also found that I can hit it again without having to wait a full minute in between hits, unless it's time to up the temps a bit.

The performance of this little device, as well as the great portability of it, is why I actually decided to get the second one. The vape tastes just as good as my Solo (which is the only other vape I have not counting e-cigs) in a much more travel-friendly format.


(EDIT) PS - the serial number on the 2nd unit I got (in CF) is 2AA1.

 

[SirDarkened]

If I was to buy one of these. Should I wait until the glass spacers are out? Keep in mind I can wait til around December... have no 'pressing' need of a new vape but have always wanted one of these things.

 

[Aelio]

@CheriePie @adamm

I'm also not so sure what all these air leaks are that everyone is speaking of. The thing heats up, I breathe through it, and vape fills my lungs lol. There may be more at play here than either of us are realizing but far as I can tell it's quite functional.

I also don't know what the 1 minute wait time between pulls is all about either.. like adamm says, ya inhale, hold it...... blehhhhhhhh, repeat.

Also I had an older ascent I sent out for warranty but my new one has a serial number of 2AA1 as well.

 

[CarolKing]

You need to do what works for you. What works for one person might be entirely wrong for someone else. FCer OF had done some experiments with the Ascent. The flowers helped with distributing heat and as a spacer. If it works for you without the flowers you'll save a few dollars then.

The Ascent is a very useful tool and gives you more freedom to vape in places maybe you wouldn't otherwise with a different vaporizer. I had a friend that walked around Pikes Place 'Market in Seattle using my vape nobody seemed to care. I go for walks using this unit.

This Ascent gives you excellent vapor flavor allowing you to try out different temps. You can choose the exact temp you wish to vape at. Anywhere between 375-400 degrees is what I vape herb at. Sometimes it depends on the strain or what time of the day it is.

I use a small o-ring that I use on the stem to help tighten the draw and help with any air leaks.
I primarily use either a wood Wong or the glass Gong, it makes a better mouthpiece.

Fuckcombustion and
Vape on

 

[OF]

You need to do what works for you. What works for one person might be entirely wrong for someone else.

Amen. It's important to find what works for you, be open to different techniques and try to repeat 'good' results and all that good stuff. And for sure you should not let anyone tell you you're not having fun.

I don't have this problem personally, the little voices just keep repeating "they're just guessing, they're just guessing....".

I'm blessed that way.

OF

 

[Delta3DStudios]

@CheriePie @adamm

I'm also not so sure what all these air leaks are that everyone is speaking of. The thing heats up, I breathe through it, and vape fills my lungs lol. There may be more at play here than either of us are realizing but far as I can tell it's quite functional.

I also don't know what the 1 minute wait time between pulls is all about either.. like adamm says, ya inhale, hold it...... blehhhhhhhh, repeat.

Also I had an older ascent I sent out for warranty but my new one has a serial number of 2AA1 as well.

Have you ever tried the 14mm straight GonG or Ed's WonG stem as a mouthpiece instead of the retractable mouthpiece? When you use one of those longer stems as a mouthpiece, you will get a tight air seal against the bottom of that chamber.

Believe me - there is a noticeable restriction in the draw speed when a long mouthpiece stem is pressed firm against this base. When you lift these longer mouthpieces out a little bit, you can feel a change in the draw restriction. Additionally, you can feel the hit is much cooler than before (cool fresh air mixing with vapor)

Until you've tried a different mouthpiece, you will never understand what we're talking about with air leaks. The Ascent's performance is MUCH better with the air leak fix by @KeroZen or using a 14mm GonG adapter as a mouthpiece.

Also I don't wait 1 minute between draws, more like 20 to 30 seconds, but I also take really long slow draws, so I give heater time to "catch up"

 

[adamm]

I got it... I think! The one thing I noticed is: DO NOT touch the cotton after you've filtered with it and still got a good bowl in there cuz it'll all get stuck to your fingers (or your pick, or your ceramic tweezers) mighty quick! (i've also read that the Vape Scrape tool is a good thing to have here, avail via Amazon or PuffitUp.com)




I have to agree with your post @adamm

I'm a 2 week old owner of an Ascent. I own two now actually, but only cuz I got such a good price on the 2nd one, with full warranty too, that I couldn't pass it up in the color I wish I'd gotten in the first place.

If you recall, I got my first one directly from DaVinci, was concerned about the early serial number, as well as the slight gap where the bottom swivel part meets the top half (see these pics: *pic1* and *pic2*). Come to find out, that alone contributed to a very minor air leak, one I barely noticed in my original model, but now that I have one that's better sealed in that area, I can see the density of my clouds thickened. (Could also be that I'm playing with an organic cotton filter now too.)

Also, I can get several good sessions out of a pack, even a half pack as you stated above. Though if it's a fluffy strain, I often have to repack the puck after the first few hits). I also haven't found a significant difference using the glass flowers as opposed to without, still getting evenly browned ABV and enough vapor either way. This was the case in my orig silver skulls from DV as well as my 2nd carbon fiber unit. I've also found that I can hit it again without having to wait a full minute in between hits, unless it's time to up the temps a bit.

The performance of this little device, as well as the great portability of it, is why I actually decided to get the second one. The vape tastes just as good as my Solo (which is the only other vape I have not counting e-cigs) in a much more travel-friendly format.


(EDIT) PS - the serial number on the 2nd unit I got (in CF) is 2AA1.

Yes, at first I thought I needed the flowers but now I have mastered it I feel it would just be more hassle than its worth, might try the organic cotton for smaller loads though. As you mentioned, sometimes the puck can lift with smaller loads, not really a huge issue though. Does the cotton not absorb some of the good stuff either?

Another one with a 2aa1 CF unit here . When you mention the gap in your first unit, does it have the silicone lip that I mention in my post? I'd of thought that would stop air getting in the side. Mine is actually broken away a bit so there is a possibility of air getting in but the unit seems to shut reasonably tight and vapour production is the same plentiful amount.

 

[CheriePie]

Have you ever tried the 14mm straight GonG or Ed's WonG stem as a mouthpiece instead of the retractable mouthpiece? When you use one of those longer stems as a mouthpiece, you will get a tight air seal against the bottom of that chamber.

Believe me - there is a noticeable restriction in the draw speed when a long mouthpiece stem is pressed firm against this base. When you lift these longer mouthpieces out a little bit, you can feel a change in the draw restriction. Additionally, you can feel the hit is much cooler than before (cool fresh air mixing with vapor)

Until you've tried a different mouthpiece, you will never understand what we're talking about with air leaks. The Ascent's performance is MUCH better with the air leak fix by @KeroZen or using a 14mm GonG adapter as a mouthpiece.

Also I don't wait 1 minute between draws, more like 20 to 30 seconds, but I also take really long slow draws, so I give heater time to "catch up"

Believe it or not, I actually like using the buddy rim alone, leaving the straws fully pushed in. Sometimes I'll pull the straw out, not more than an inch or two, and I think I do sense a bit more air that way but it's not a super big difference to me. Kinda like increasing the size of the air hole size on an RBA (rebuildable atomizer) slightly.

So yes, leaving the straws retracted (or is that de-tracted) probably helps minimize my extra air flow too.

Yes, at first I thought I needed the flowers but now I have mastered it I feel it would just be more hassle than its worth, might try the organic cotton for smaller loads though. As you mentioned, sometimes the puck can lift with smaller loads, not really a huge issue though. Does the cotton not absorb some of the good stuff either?

Another one with a 2aa1 CF unit here . When you mention the gap in your first unit, does it have the silicone lip that I mention in my post? I'd of thought that would stop air getting in the side. Mine is actually broken away a bit so there is a possibility of air getting in but the unit seems to shut reasonably tight and vapour production is the same plentiful amount.

Yup, I have the silicone lip on the top part next to the glass screen. (That was also in a prev pic I posted.)

ETA - start here and look at the next 7 or 8 pics if you want to see my orig unit from DV pics:

 

[CarolKing]

I found if I didn't have a full load that the product would get sucked up towards the top of the bowl. I prefer not to pack a full bowl so the glass flowers work well for me. With all vapes it's important to use dry herb, it's especially important with this unit.

In the past I think there's been a lot of user error. Possibly not all the returns were flawed units.

It took me a while to get the hang of this vaporizer, I almost gave up. I was ready to sell it. If you practice and work with it, you'll have a great little machine that will get the job done and more.

 

[virtualpurple]

I have never tried using glass flowers, though I thought about whipping out some small glass beads to lay down and try smaller loads. I generally pack near full and tamp down with the wax jar. But, like some others, I got better as I adjusted my technique.

One thing that I don't know if anyone has tried doing much yet, is to just push the silicone lid from the wax jar on top of the herb when you have put down as much as you'd prefer. It would not assist at all with heat transfer, but it may act to help keep the herb from coming too loose as you draw.

I'll check it out when my unit is returned unless someone has prior experience trying this and I just missed it.

 

[CarolKing]

Folks have used the glass jar to hold down the herb and act as a spacer. I don't know if I've heard anybody using the lid? I know some have had trouble with resin sticking to the jar and getting stuck on the bottom of the oven. Sometimes it's trial and error.

DV started selling the Ascent this month a year ago. Everybody waited for months for it to come out. One due date would come and go, then another due date.

The Ascent wasn't really ready when it was released. I think DV was under a lot of pressure from customers to release it. There were all these comments on Facebook and not positive.

This unit has come a long way from a year ago. Portable vaporizers keep getting better and better.

I would like to see vaporizers at Costco. It would have to be in states that have legal mmj or a legal state.

 

[OF]

Yes, at first I thought I needed the flowers but now I have mastered it I feel it would just be more hassle than its worth, might try the organic cotton for smaller loads though.

Cool, glad you're happy. That is, of course, the goal.

Have you actually tried the flowers and decided they are more hassle than worth? If so, interesting, I think you're the first guy to try them and find them of no value? I think every person who's reported trying them cites a useful improvement. Your call, but if you're just guessing I suggest investing ten bucks on the experiment, those are pretty good odds you know.

Or not, still your call. I'm just curious if you have tried them?

TIA

OF

 

[adamm]

Cool, glad you're happy. That is, of course, the goal.

Have you actually tried the flowers and decided they are more hassle than worth? If so, interesting, I think you're the first guy to try them and find them of no value? I think every person who's reported trying them cites a useful improvement. Your call, but if you're just guessing I suggest investing ten bucks on the experiment, those are pretty good odds you know.

Or not, still your call. I'm just curious if you have tried them?

TIA

OF

No I haven't tried them, I just feel that I'm getting good results already so having glass flowers, although they might improve things, I don't feel they are really neccesary for me at the minute.

Perhaps saying they are more hassle than they're worse is a bit of a bold statement considering I haven't even tried them. I'm sure I would still benefit from them.

I'll probably try them at some point although it seems harder to come across some at a good price in the UK, I have looked a bit but not extensively.

 

[OF]

No I haven't tried them, I just feel that I'm getting good results already so having glass flowers, although they might improve things, I don't feel they are really neccesary for me at the minute.

Cool. Thanks for explaining. I'm sure not going to try to tell you you're not happy.......

I hope you find them conveniently (and perhaps let the other EU types know where, I bet they'd shower you with thanks.....) so you can be ready when the Green Devil of 'can we make this even better' strikes.

Thanks again, best wishes.

OF

 

[CarolKing]

I've heard folks using like a small glass screen like they have with some other vaporizers to put on top of the load to hold it down. If you have any head shops they may carry the glass screens.

If you had glass beads that you knew was safe, for high temps and not toxic. I have tried glass beads that I bought at a hobby craft store. I wasn't sure if they were safe so I stopped using them. They worked pretty good though. Just a few ideas to consider if you don't want to worry about shipping costs. They may sell some type of glass pipe screens in some reg tobacco/pipe stores.

If you don't need a spacer or anything to weight your load down then you don't need to worry about it. You are in the minority. The Ascent has a fairly large oven without a spacer IMO.

 

[ChronaMewX]

I got my ascent a month ago and I've been absolutely loving it. However, it suddenly seems to have stopped charging.

I guess I have to get it exchanged? How fast does it usually take for them to replace something in Canada?

 

[CheeseHead]

Well the screen packed in on my brand new stealth ascent last night after working again for a few hours. It still turns on and heats up, but obviously give no indication of heat or whether or not it has turned off and is just still hot etc.

Already filled in the repair / return form on vapefiend site, so will give them a call on Monday morning and get a replacement sorted.

I love the portability of the ascent over the Solo and was quite happy with the density of the clouds, especially with the pinnacle water tool, although not too sure of the taste, i think it could be the current strain i have as i've never vaped it before, so quite happy to try another unit.

I don't like the fact that it has to be straight up and down constantly while on or vapour escapes from the bottom, but I suppose I can live with / try and mod to fix that.

Edit: Anyone know of anyway to hard reset the da vinci? Just seems weird that it done it yesterday then came back on, and has done it again, as if it's maybe just a software fault? And maybe completely resetting / disconnecting from power will reset it?

 

[Smknbud]

Almost got a year out of it. Really didn't expect it to fail. Charges, turns on but no heat.

Hope third one is the charmed one and gets me more than a years use.

 

[CarolKing]

Think on the positive side smkedbud. You will be getting a brand new unit with all the new improvements. I see you have backup vapes to get you by. That's what's most important.

A Boy Scout is always ready for the unexpected.

 

[Smknbud]

Think on the positive side smkedbud. You will be getting a brand new unit with all the new improvements. I see you have backup vapes to get you by. That's what's most important.

A Boy Scout is always ready for the unexpected.

Yeah, I have back ups. Just that feeling of a friend lost.