Are you using the app? Very cool to watch real time progress and get that feedback.
In terms of "clouds": What do you mean? Do you mean "visible vapor on exhale" or do you mean *CLOUDS!*
Reason why I ask, is that will tell me a lot about your inhalation.
I tend to be a session vaporist. So I sip. I'll get visible vapor through SP#1 several times, before moving to SP#2 and upward. So that is much >9min that you are getting.
If you OTOH, are hitting it hard and fast for maximum cloudage, then you could be spending all of you material rapidly. (BTW, if you use this approach, give it a little bit between hits to give the middle a chance at thermal recovery.)
But the real question is not "how many clouds can I see" but "how does it affect me?" That's what really matters. Clouds aren't a reliable indicator, especially across vapes. If you are getting as medicated, then that's what you should go by.
The optimal Smart Path is the one that is right for you! This thing is wonderfully adjustable and everybody is different. So there is no one perfect path for everyone. (Oh, hey! A metaphor for life. I'm not trying to sound sappy... but there it is.) Play with it and find what suits your usage.
And I'd highly recommend playing with the app. Just because the Smart Paths come from the factory with SUGGESTED settings, doesn't mean you can't change one (or all!) to better suit your needs.
Yes. Tamp.
I use the head of the tool that is in the lid. I have it in hand to empty the chamber anyway.
I just wish they'd make that head bigger somehow. (Yes I understand the width is fixed to pull the Flavor Chamber's lid.) But it would make a better tamping tool if it weren't so small. Or find a better tool. IIRC
@Ratchett designed (and sold) one for the Ascent. Perhaps he might custom design something here.
Until DV comes out with a spacer of their own, you can use what you like. Just be aware of the materials it is made of. (Just because it is "glass" doesn't mean it doesn't have impurities or coatings on it you might not want.) We've been using those "glass flowers" on the Ascent. They are sold as pipe screens, so they are intended to be used 1) under high temp and 2) in an inhalation path. (Here is
one example. There are plenty more on Amazon (or other retailers if you are in another country).)
Ha! This amuses me greatly! Well said!