The device itself
This device has a solid build quality. It's heavier than you expect based on its tiny size, but in a good way. It feels like it could take a fall and survive intact.
I like when vapes are convenient, i.e. easy to load and clean, and the IQ definitely is. I love that there is a stir tool attached to the vape itself, and that the area around the oven is bowl-shaped, so that herbs naturally funnel into the oven when you're loading it. I like the extended mouthpiece more than the flat one.
The oven pearl is tightly affixed to the vape. It took a lot of effort to unscrew. Not sure how somebody could accidentally unscrew it with a cleaning brush as Vape Critic claimed, lol.
The vaping experience
My first session was on Smart Path 2 (370-390 F). I wasn't expecting dense vapor at this temp range, but it was putting out clouds similar to the Mighty. The taste was excellent for the first few minutes and then took on a more "baked" flavor from there, as you expect from a conduction vape - but it kept making big clouds well beyond the flavor dropoff. Psychoactive effects were significant.
Second session on SP3 (390-410) - Holy hell, this thing makes bigger clouds than any other portable vaporizer I have used! Super dense, white clouds, yet still smooth on the draw. It didn't burn my throat like a Pax, yet it delivered way more vapor. I was so baked at the end of this session, my body felt numb and floaty.
AVB
After the first session, which was exactly 10 minutes, I opened the oven to find a few green bits at the top. As I dug deeper, I found a gradient of dark-to-light AVB going from bottom to top of the oven. However, it was still more evenly baked than what Pax vapes give you. Like the Pax, I recommend "flipping the load" so the top goes to the bottom before killing it on Boost Mode.
The second session was longer because I experimented with all the different modes. Even still, there were bits of green at the top, and the standard dark-to-light gradient, but this time more weighted to the dark. With a light stir, I was able to cook it a little longer and even out the color.
Other comments
I used the orange S&B grinder, which produces a pretty fine grind, and that worked very well. I packed the oven moderately tight and filled it to just above the black-white boundary, which was then further tamped down by the pearl.
I love that everything can be done without the app. I'm an Android user so I don't have app access yet, but I still had full control over everything with the onboard controls. Still, I look forward to playing around with custom Smart Paths.
The Smart Paths are fantastic for group session vaping. When passing a Mighty around a group, I sometimes have to tell people to turn up the temp. The IQ automates this process and puts the session on a fixed timer, so you never have to worry about it turning off when somebody has a "high moment" and forgets they're holding a vaporizer.
I already expected the IQ to replace my Pax2 as my going-out vape, but I'll be using it at home more than I thought. It will also rival the Mighty as a party vape for groups of friends.
I discovered a minor bug with the Davinci website - when logged out, I can view the accessories page, but when logged in, I get a 403 error. Speaking of accessories, I don't actually need any of those currently available except maybe the 14 mm adapter. I hope to see extra batteries and a carrying case made available so I can use my store credit.
I'm probably forgetting something, so I'll add more comments when I think of them...
