Ascent Vaporizer by DaVinci

[Glass004]

CLEANING THE PRETTY WHITE OVEN?????
Never done it. What's the deal? Taste? Both of my Ascents have worked fine with a dark brown stain since May.
I suspect that OCD, rather than science has determined that it is necessary to have a white oven rather than the brown oven for proper function of the ascent.
I suspect some Ascents are at risk for damage from too much alcohol and cleaning. I do clean off resin and ABV from other surfaces with ISO
Occasionally a hunk of thin film chips off revealing gleaming white surface.
Regarding the issue of burn off. All five units I have used required substantial burnoff. I suspect that the high heat of a burnoff process damaged the front buttons of one unit that I never vaped from before the buttons broke.
Consistently with the other 4 units, after 6-8 runs the plastic taste dissapeared .
High dollar polymers would alleviate this widespread complaint according to our French polymer scientist.
@vzno And it was nice hearing from an actual scientist qualified to make relevant statements regarding the polymer problem with the Ascent. As a scientist, I understand the appropriateness of you not commenting on the health aspects of the Ascent polymer vapors present during burnoff.
Those that come to conclusions by "feelin" or perceive by "seeming" ie " it seems to me that..... ", might not follow your thought process.
I thank you for your posts.

 

[Davinci_vaporizer]

Appreciate the response, thank you

Seems to function perfectly fine to me, certainly no different to how it was from day 1. I'm not sure how long it has been there as I noticed it during its first good clean when the resin was left in the crack.

Edit- as you can see its only small.

You should be totally fine! If the crack spreads or ends up creating an issue, you can contact our customer service for a repair.

 

[Davinci_vaporizer]

Hello everyone! As some of you may know, we held a contest here on FC that started a couple weeks ago. The idea was to write a love letter to your DaVinci vaporizer (either the original or the Ascent). The contest was closed yesterday and we are proud to announce @GeekyGodiva as our winner! We would like to share the love letter here for everyone to see. This one was written to an original DaVinci. I hope you can find the same overwhelming affection you have towards your original with the Ascent. Congratulations!

"Dear DaVinci,

Oh, my sweet darling! Can you believe it has already been a little over a year since we met. You looking like a little radio, me sipping from your antenna, it just fit. When I needed help you have been right there for me. We have had our problems, but they were always easy to fix with a little communication. When I am away from home, I know I still have you. When the pain becomes overwhelming you comfort me. I don't know how I got along without you.

It never takes long for you to warm up, practically good to go in seconds. When I click your switch and see your blue light I feel a thrill of anticipation. I can dial in my perfect temperature, and you will adjust as soon as I ask. You are quick to tell me when you are ready, and when your little red light turns green I know it's time.

You lost your brush a while back, but don't worry you can use mine. You still look gorgeous, you've got great hygiene. You got a small makeover- new straw, new charger, and I gotta say I love you more than ever. I admit that in the past I have wished you could last a bit longer, but that's no judgement against you. We're as tight as ever and you know nothing that stays plugged in at home could ever be your equal on the go.

When I am walking down a beach with you in my hand, nobody knows our secret plans. Your sweet scent fogs my mind, blocking the pain and worries. My friends all adore you, and encourage me to bring you to our outings. Don't worry, I'm not jealous, because they know you're all mine. They may get a kiss or two, but I know who you're going home with in the end.

Lets travel some more, baby and I will tell you all my secrets.

Yours always,
Geeky Godiva"

 

[gangababa]

CLEANING THE PRETTY WHITE OVEN?????
Never done it. What's the deal? Taste? Both of my Ascents have worked fine with a dark brown stain since May.
...
Occasionally a hunk of thin film chips off revealing gleaming white surface.
...

Fascinating!!!!!!!!!

 

[OF]

Fascinating!!!!!!!!!

It makes sense when you think about it, the bowl is glazed. So the surface is glass, which will behave like other glass when it comes to fouling sticking. It's just that being very hard and smooth it's likely to have baked on junk flake off in pieces (since they're not really sticking to the glass at all well). Like paint might off a poorly primed surface?

OF

 

[Radio]

Hello everyone! As some of you may know, we held a contest here on FC that started a couple weeks ago. The idea was to write a love letter to your DaVinci vaporizer (either the original or the Ascent). The contest was closed yesterday and we are proud to announce @GeekyGodiva as our winner! We would like to share the love letter here for everyone to see. This one was written to an original DaVinci. I hope you can find the same overwhelming affection you have towards your original with the Ascent. Congratulations!

"Dear DaVinci,

Oh, my sweet darling! Can you believe it has already been a little over a year since we met. You looking like a little radio, me sipping from your antenna, it just fit. When I needed help you have been right there for me. We have had our problems, but they were always easy to fix with a little communication. When I am away from home, I know I still have you. When the pain becomes overwhelming you comfort me. I don't know how I got along without you.

It never takes long for you to warm up, practically good to go in seconds. When I click your switch and see your blue light I feel a thrill of anticipation. I can dial in my perfect temperature, and you will adjust as soon as I ask. You are quick to tell me when you are ready, and when your little red light turns green I know it's time.

You lost your brush a while back, but don't worry you can use mine. You still look gorgeous, you've got great hygiene. You got a small makeover- new straw, new charger, and I gotta say I love you more than ever. I admit that in the past I have wished you could last a bit longer, but that's no judgement against you. We're as tight as ever and you know nothing that stays plugged in at home could ever be your equal on the go.

When I am walking down a beach with you in my hand, nobody knows our secret plans. Your sweet scent fogs my mind, blocking the pain and worries. My friends all adore you, and encourage me to bring you to our outings. Don't worry, I'm not jealous, because they know you're all mine. They may get a kiss or two, but I know who you're going home with in the end.

Lets travel some more, baby and I will tell you all my secrets.

Yours always,
Geeky Godiva"

Congratulations to the winner!

 

[GeekyGodiva]

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT? I am so excited! Oh, wow. Time to fall in love all over again! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

 

[Delta3DStudios]

Hey guys! I wanted to share with you my finished design, now available on the Etsy store - a Davinci Ascent charging stock and loading station!

This baby can hold 3 glass stems and 2 glass bowls (or tamping tools ). You can toss the Ascent in the dock and let it charge. And then rotate the Ascent open to load it WHILE CHARGING!

 

[GeekyGodiva]

I just selected my prize and will be reading through all the pages here while I wait (I've skimmed this thread several time since it began, but this situation requires in-depth reading for research purposes). I look forward to becoming an active participant in this thread after it arrives. I am coming from a classic DaVinci that has been used extensively in a variety of environments. I am so excited and looking forward to the all glass vapor path and longer battery life of the DaVinci Ascent. Thank you @Davinci_vaporizer! This opportunity means a great deal to me

 

[OF]

Gentle Friends,

So I've had my new Ascent for several weeks now and have been enjoying it as I tried to feel out how it best fits in with what I want from a vape. As some might recall, Nigel kindly loaned me one of his a while back and I hit it from the nerd direction, measuring powers and temperatures and all that.

This time I took a 'softer approach', strictly empirical.....by using it. Experimenting with technique. It was tempered, of course, by the two 'take away lessons' from the tests; hit gently allowing plenty of time between hits for temperature to recover and use glass flowers (or a substitute) to store more heat in the load.

Anyway, following the results I liked I've found Ascent fits a niche in my use very well indeed. Not that it will work for you, I'm simply relating what I think are key points for your consideration. A 'try it, you might like it' deal?

Starting at the end (for the fun of it, it's s cycle so it doesn't really have ends.....), I dump the bowl before it cools completely. I dump into an empty metal mint tin so hot glass isn't an issue. The load usually falls out as a lump with the flowers inside, sometimes it takes a poke with the wood toothpick that also lives in the tin. I have a small Boar Bristle (no heat issues) artist brush (number 4, two bucks) that I brush any dust that might remain, but by using well cured bud it generally doesn't need it. I generally charge at this point if it's time for that. Before closing up, I check the four holes in the upper screen for fouling which I can usually blow free (bowl open of course) while it's still warm.

Shaking the tin gently usually breaks up the load and gets the glass flowers loose, again the toothpick is on standby. Then the tin gets closed and set aside until it's time to load.

Loading is easy (IMO) and fast (under a minute, easily). First I open the tin, laying the top back, and pull out the seven flowers from the spread out ABV I dump the ABV when it gets too thick, maybe every gram or so? They are selected from the assortment into two pairs (by color, not that it matters) that are on the large diameter but short stem side of the distribution, and three of those with smaller heads and longer stems. It's very easy to do, either by size or color, there's always seven, they go into 3 rows in the tin, 2 above 3 with 2 at the bottom.

Bud is well cured and 'ground' (chopped, really when you think about it) a gram or two at a time and put up in 'Doob Tubes' as sold by PV. A tube holds a gram or so, generally 4 or 5 loads (I load about .2 grams per and vape two sessions).

Loading starts with two big ones (head size) on the bottom and then enough herb to well cover them (1/3 to 1/2 the depth). Sometimes I tap the side of the bowl to help settle it. Then 3 long stems on their sides, followed by the rest of the herb, basically up to the top of the ceramic and domed a bit by trial and error. I then gently press it down to make room for the last two flowers, 'thumbtack style', This last part, I think, goes a long way to keeping the top screen clean and free drawing. No herb pressed directly into the holes. If the top of the top of the flowers is below flush I close the door and head for the garden.

I tend to vape in the 370 to 390 range, based on strain. Some taste better at low temperatures I think, others are more satisfying cranked up a bit. I generally don't 'bump up', but sometimes do, but I don't ever recall going to 400 a second time? Most of the herb I get is pretty wimpy and starting to taste unpleasant. Some MMJ guys are just getting out of Granny Gear I know, and there's denser clouds up there, but that's not where I ended up. Usually two 10 minute sessions per load. If I get distracted and stop hitting it (OK, I said I wasn't being scientific, right.....) at third session happens. A bit more 'grams per session' than some vapes for me, but IMO within reason and the Ascent does deliver very well when used in the casual style I favor.

I like the stem, but not fully extended. I pull it out maybe 3/4 inch (or a little less) and hold the unit upright (vertical rather than horizontal like you would using it stemless). It's more natural in my hand that way, a bit like holding a pistol with long grip. Along the edges. Finger fatigue isn't a factor then, very natural for me, I often hold it in my right hand the entire session without shifting at all. I just bring it up (at say 5 and 11 o'clock, not straight up and down) enough so my lips can get over the glass stem without hitting glass and I can sip away at a lovely, reflexive hit. Somehow, my trusty hand, still holding mister Ascent, finds the arm of the chair, my lap or some other place to safely wait out the urge to take another hit.

It's usually lovely following this drill, at least for now. The Ascent, for me in this fashion, becomes a true tool. Reliable in terms of what it will do in response to what I ask. Easy to clean and maintain. Easy enough to load, again IMO. It does the job I asked it to do, and does it well.

Twice now I've pulled the two glass stems and cleaned them. I have a skinny jar (I think olives originally?) that they fit into with a piece of closed cell plastic foam to keep them from banging into each other. A dash of PBW (Powdered Brewery Wash) and the hottest water from the sink (I even sometimes use excess tea water for this sort of stuff) and it's off to the races. Cap and invert a few times (venting between) until it's cool followed by a rinse or two and it's good to go. No drama. No ISO. Fast and easy. I've done this twice (I think) in a quarter ounce or so, or a bit more. Maybe 100 sessions on 50 loads? I have not had to do anything (except the occasional quick brush) to the bowl part yet. I'm impressed with that. A key is, I think, doing it before it cools off.

So now you know as much as me on the topic. It's your own fault for wasting your time with reading this, you were free to quit and look for useful stuff elsewhere........unless you try something and adopt it? Your call.

Anyway, my take on Ascent is under the right conditions the right technique can give outstanding results. Well worth repeating, over and over and over.....

Or as the Brits might say 'great fun, that'.

Regards,

OF

 

[Smknbud]

Gentle Friends,


So now you know as much as me on the topic. It's your own fault for wasting your time with reading this, you were free to quit and look for useful stuff elsewhere........unless you try something and adopt it? Your call.


Regards,

OF

Oh sure, put this at the end. You could have said something earlier, like "see last sentence before reading"....but as usual OF, you're always a good read regardless of topic.

 

[CarolKing]

This vaporizer a year ago was off to a rocky start. It seemed like quite a few folks buying this unit here on FC anyway, ended up having to send their units back. From what I could tell in this thread, Davinci did a great job of customer service overall. That's the key IMO, that will get the customer to come back. I want to thank Davinci for their loyalty to their customers. I know there maybe a few of unhappy customers. You can't please everybody.

Even though I don't use this unit everyday, it's there when I need it ready to go. The battery will go down after a week or so. You do need to charge it up, if it's been awhile since you've used it. It charges up usually within 90 -120 min from low battery. It produces good vapor quality. Thick clouds after the first couple of draws.

I would recommend this unit to anybody looking for a portable. Its small and easily fits in a bag or a coat pocket. Maybe not your tight jeans pocket, more like baggy pant pockets it fits nicely.

I've had this unit since last Oct. 2013. I had to replace the first one I received in August 2013. These units do hold up long term. Sometimes only the test of time will tell us how good a vaporizer performs. Also how good the company is.

 

[Nunavut Tripper]

My burl Ascent has just passed one year of service. It's not my daily driver but has been used a fair bit with no malfunctions to date.
Other than it's a little finicky to load with the glass flowers etc I'm really enjoying my unit.

 

[Davinci_vaporizer]

This vaporizer a year ago was off to a rocky start. It seemed like quite a few folks buying this unit here on FC anyway, ended up having to send their units back. From what I could tell in this thread, Davinci did a great job of customer service overall. That's the key IMO, that will get the customer to come back. I want to thank Davinci for their loyalty to their customers. I know there maybe a few of unhappy customers. You can't please everybody.

Even though I don't use this unit everyday, it's there when I need it ready to go. The battery will go down after a week or so. You do need to charge it up, if it's been awhile since you've used it. It charges up usually within 90 -120 min from low battery. It produces good vapor quality. Thick clouds after the first couple of draws.

I would recommend this unit to anybody looking for a portable. Its small and easily fits in a bag or a coat pocket. Maybe not your tight jeans pocket, more like baggy pant pockets it fits nicely.

I've had this unit since last Oct. 2013. I had to replace the first one I received in August 2013. These units do hold up long term. Sometimes only the test of time will tell us how good a vaporizer performs. Also how good the company is.

Thank you! None of this would be possible without all of our customers. The support from you guys on this thread is outstanding and we cannot thank you guys enough.

 

[GeekyGodiva]

Wow! So my Ascent (haven't named it yet) and me are getting along well. It took a lot of practice and finagling to get to this point because at first I dealt with a lot of blockage and herb shedding. The screens that came with it shifted too much to be effective in my case. I am using screens to avoid dropping out the bottom and fouling the glass screen, but not the ones that came with it. One is a Da Buddha screen squished into a concave football shape that fits in the Ascent crucible under my load and the other is a smaller, finer mesh pipe screen (still larger than the ones supplied by DV) gently folded into an arched taco shell that I set over the load before I close my unit. It hits well now. Tasty little puffs. As has been said by others, I feel this is for sipping, not chugging.

I still have a lot of trial and error before I am using my Ascent most efficiently, but I am impressed by this little machine. The heating time is as instant as I could want. One button is crooked, but doesn't seem to affect performance. The chamber swivel has a bit of an overbite, but it doesn't affect performance. One of the screen-straws was built crooked, and I felt that did affect the performance and put my mouthpiece straw in peril, but I switched to the other glass screen piece and it is fine.

I recognize that the next thing is entirely on me. I am having a cognitive disconnect between my long time experience with the original DV compared to the Ascent regarding the cycle timer (or lack there of). I love the tri-setting, but I got very used to the unit regulating me and my intake and since it automatically starts heating when I turn it on, I keep forgetting to engage the tri-setting timer. As a result I keep on vaping much longer than I intend or expect to. I have the same problem with my Da Buddha, though, so maybe I need to set a stop watch timer when I start my session. LOL

 

[OF]

I recognize that the next thing is entirely on me. I am having a cognitive disconnect between my long time experience with the original DV compared to the Ascent regarding the cycle timer (or lack there of). As a result I keep on vaping much longer than I intend or expect to. I have the same problem with my Da Buddha, though, so maybe I need to set a stop watch timer when.

I think what you want to do is change the time setting under 'mode 3', page 10 of the manual. I finally convinced myself that the motion they were talking about is not physical motion of the unit, but change of settings (that is it's like on HA, not like on Pax?). I usually shut off at about 10 minutes, but if not it shuts off (silently) at the 12 I've got set. I think?

OF

 

[virtualpurple]

I still use my Ascent as my primary. I had to send it back twice, however it is going strong at this point, I think that DaVinci has provided very good customer service and I have no complaints.

I use a screen from my Haze vaporizer on the bottom of my ceramic bowl (their conduction screen, I just trimmed up the bottom) that is wedged tight in the bottom of the bowl. I pack my material with the oil jar that I made into a tamper by wedging a Q-Tip into the jar (Although I think Ratchett offers a great looking tamper tool, and I think that it would be a worthwhile investment, along with his other Ascent accessories). On top of that I use some cotton, again from my Haze vaporizer. The cotton keeps things wedged down and I have found it easier to place and remove than a screen.

But this bad boy loves to play with the water. Coupling the Ascent and a water tool is a whole other experience.

I have other vapes that I really enjoy...but the Ascent so far is my favorite. Even above my Herbalizer, though in fairness I still need to give my Herbalizer some more attention.

 

[Norcalsun]

Which watertool do you use? Does it produce bigger hits without the heat? Using the Ascent straight is kinda hot and dry to me I've been considering a watertool but hear mixed reviews. Do you have to draw on the watertool longer to get thick hits? Are there certain techniques to using them? Thanks for any info.

 

[virtualpurple]

I use the F-bomb water tool. I think it produces MUCH bigger clouds when the vapor is cooled with the water.

Alot of posters seem to be quite happy just using the Ascent water tool stem, but I mostly use it in conjunction with the water tool. I too find that the Ascent can get a little hot and dry. However, I have little problems using the F-bomb.

I think the tool makes me want to draw longer naturally for some reason, however if I'm not careful I can end up in a coughing fit in a hurry. But if I am mindful and take small puffs with the water tool there is no problem at all.

If you are at all a cloudchaser, then the F-bomb will get you there. Its a little pricey, but it was completely worth the investment for me.

 

[100n3y]

Sorry in advance if this is derailing any current convo. Haven't been in here for a while. I was one of the beta-buyers of this (Ascent) device. I'm now on my 4th one.

First/Second: OLED screen smudging
Third: Stopped charging
Forth: TBD

Haven't used any one for more than 10-20 times a piece so their failing hasn't come from heavy usage.

I'm on a Carbon Fiber one now. They (Organix) had me clean my device before sending (as they previously have) with Iso, but this time the soft skin on my stealth came off. Guess it's pretty sensitive to alcohol. Not complaining so much as warning anyone else that might have one. That being said, on to why I'm actually posting.

Am I just unlucky? I purchased this because I liked the functions as much as the style. The Solo seemed too clunky to port. around. The Pax seemed too hard to clean and the batt. life too short. As you can imagine I'm reluctant to even use my forth device as it'll lower my resell value. I want to sell it because I'm tired of shipping them back. Is this really a good device and I'm just unlucky? I've looked for disparaging information on the Ascent and coming up pretty dry. I'll hold on to it if everyone's pretty pleased with it and it's just me. Mostly asking people who've read up on most of this tome/bible/thread. I'm aware no one person can speak for everyone. Twelve bucks a pop to send this back to Organix is getting really old. On a good note..I have more glass stems than I know what to do with. I'd take a hit on battery life or ease of cleaning for a device that simply works w/o fail.

I'm sorry if this isn't very clear or sounds too whiny. A $250 dollar device shouldn't be so much trouble.

 

[Amoreena]

... I'm reluctant to even use my forth device as it'll lower my resell value. ...

FWIW, the warranty on Ascents is not transferable which I imagine also lowers resale value. Am not sure you have anything to lose there.

 

[lmoye22]

New to the forum as a member, Long time guest. I've read almost all this forum from before it came out to now. Few ups and down but what isn't like that. I will say from what I have seen, the customer service is grade A. Very happy to see they do care. I Been vaping for a few years now. I own 2 Vaporfection Vivape 2, had the Firefly (loved the look but not the difficulty it took to learn to use it), also the pinnacle pro and vaporblunt . I sure do love my Ascent. Grated I have only owned this one for two weeks now. Took a few days to get the right technique down, but when I did I was pretty darn happy.

One problem I did have with the unit was the darn glass jars they came with don't even fit inside the bowl. I tried chatting with Davinci but was told to just try it when the chamber was hot then got disconnected with them (doesn't fit no matter what). Also the seal on the bowl doesn't seem to be going around the bowl all that well.

Beside that, I've been very happy with the Ascent. I do wish someone sold custom skins, I don't like the carbon fiber I have, but It was the only one at the shop and I just couldn't wait to have it lol
Guess I'll have to wait on a good sale to have an extra

 

[100n3y]

.....I will say from what I have seen, the customer service is grade A. Very happy to see they do care.

I don't like the carbon fiber I have, but It was the only one at the shop and I just couldn't wait to have it lol

Yea....Their customer services is good. I'd only change how they go about sending/receiving their returns. I bought a $250 dollar device. A prepaid mailing label would be awesome. Instead we're penalized for each time their device fails. I'm grateful that they do exchanges, don't get me wrong, but when you're on 3,4,5+ devices....shit adds up. I understand if I were to drop it or damage it at faults of my own that I should have to pay....but anyways...you see what I'm sayin. Great people...wonky rules.

I had the stealth and chose carbon fiber as a replacement. Really cool they'd not be all, "You gotta keep getting the same color you ordered.", but it does seem kinda cheap. Looks alright from afar, but up close..you can tell it's just a printed graphic. The velvety coating on the stealth was great, but I could see where it could get scratched damaged. Think I saw some skins on Ebay.

 

[CarolKing]

100n3y, You are a very loyal Ascent customer. I don't know if I would have stuck it through as long as you have. Good luck.

 

[JCat]

This vaporizer a year ago was off to a rocky start. It seemed like quite a few folks buying this unit here on FC anyway, ended up having to send their units back. From what I could tell in this thread, Davinci did a great job of customer service overall. That's the key IMO, that will get the customer to come back. I want to thank Davinci for their loyalty to their customers. I know there maybe a few of unhappy customers. You can't please everybody.

Even though I don't use this unit everyday, it's there when I need it ready to go. The battery will go down after a week or so. You do need to charge it up, if it's been awhile since you've used it. It charges up usually within 90 -120 min from low battery. It produces good vapor quality. Thick clouds after the first couple of draws.

I would recommend this unit to anybody looking for a portable. Its small and easily fits in a bag or a coat pocket. Maybe not your tight jeans pocket, more like baggy pant pockets it fits nicely.

I've had this unit since last Oct. 2013. I had to replace the first one I received in August 2013. These units do hold up long term. Sometimes only the test of time will tell us how good a vaporizer performs. Also how good the company is.

Nailed it pretty much dead on there ... it's got a solid place in my vape arsenal as well ... when I need a vape to take with me packed and ready to go (go stand with the tobacco smokers to be inconspicuous) ... my Ascent is my go-to vape ... I pretty much actually almost always have one packed and ready to go when I leave the house if I'm going to be gone for >1.5 hours ... although I love my Solo I get a lot of looks when standing around with it ... even in a group of tobacco smokers ... but with the Ascent ... just seem to melt in with the crowd

Edit: Apart from sometimes I get people frantically looking around because they "smell a skunk" ... ... (I live in the Northern Ontario) ... once I inform them its just me vaporizing cannabis they become a lot more comfortable