Davinci is the name of a manufacturer releasing dry herb vaporizers. Their newest option for portable vaporizers of this type is known as the Davinci IQ. Although this vaporizer has been around since the end of 2016, it’s still one of the best options on the market today and it’s definitely going to be one you’d like.
Some of the major changes include: using smart path technology, the bowl is made of ceramic zirconia material, it has a more straightforward vapor path, and all new mouthpieces, and it even comes with a replaceable 18650 battery.
It’s an affordable device retailing at $274.99. The Davinci IQ is also available in a number of different options including Stealth, Copper, Blue, and Gunmetal. And if you’re going to buy it, you should definitely consider purchasing it directly from the manufacturer.
With that said, I’ll now dive headfirst into my Davinci IQ review.
A Brief Description of the Build Quality, Portability, and Size of the Davinci IQ
As far as the portability and size is concerned, I want you to first understand that the size of the device is truly mind blowing. It may seem impossible when you consider other dry herb vaporizers, but this device is incredibly small when compared to other options, yet it has some weight to it, it’s durable, and it’s really solid as well. It fits quite comfortably in the palm of your hand.
Although not the lightest dry herb vaporizer, you’ll still be happy to know that the IQ only weighs about 145 g. The TI Grasshopper, which is the lightest of the bunch, weighs nearly a third less at 55 g. The Pax 3, the second lightest available at the time of this writing weighs a mere 95 g.
What does this mean? It means that it’s a bit heavier than other portable options. It doesn’t take away from the quality or anything else by any means. And overall, the shape and size of the device is great because it fits comfortably in your pocket. For those looking for maximum discretion, you can also palm the device at any time with the greatest of ease.
The build quality of the Davinci IQ is another story altogether. The beauty of the weight of this device is it helps you recognize the overall build quality. If this device were much lighter than it currently is, you’d be constantly worried that you’ll accidentally drop and break it. And the lighter weight would make it feel really cheap too.
As far as the buttons go, you’ll be glad to know that they feel nice, they work perfectly, and they look really good on the device. The way the unit looks with the zirconia ceramic finish is also very attractive, so you’ll definitely be happy that you’re getting more than you pay for.
At the end of the day, this is a great looking unit that works better than advertised. Once you finally have it in your hands, you’ll truly appreciate the design, love the lightweight feel, and be glad that it’s small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and made of high quality, solid material.
More Information about the Flavor Chamber, Mouthpieces, & Accessories
At the time of this writing, it’s possible for you to purchase multiple options of the Davinci IQ vaporizer. In fact, you can even get your hands on the collector’s edition, which is really nice and comes in a sleek wooden box.
Other accessories include the carrying case, a T-shirt, and a glass jar. Overall, the whole presentation is really exquisite and you’ll be blown away by everything that comes in the package in addition to the standard features that we’ll talk about below.
In their standard package, you’ll receive the Davinci IQ vaporizer, the rechargeable and replaceable 3500mAh 18650 battery, an extended 10 mm adapter and recessed 10 mm adapter mouthpieces, the flavor chamber made of ceramic zirconia, and a USB charging cable.
The Ceramic Zirconia Mouthpieces
The two mouthpieces are both made of ceramic zirconia. When using them, the flavor is always excellent, it’s very easy to clean and really durable. I like the recessed mouthpiece better than the other option, and particularly I prefer it when I’m carrying around the vaporizer while on the go.
Why is it the better choice for traveling? You can use the recessed mouthpiece and conceal the entire vaporizer in the palm of your hand, whereas it’s not possible to palm it with the extended 10 mm adapter.
I like the raised mouthpiece as well, but I typically only use it at home. The seal is really excellent when put against the 14 mm male glass or the 10 mm female.
The Davinci IQ Flavor Chamber
The latest addition to this design is known as the flavor chamber. You place the chamber in the vapor path prior to it reaching your lips. It’s possible to load in ground up herbs right into the flavor chamber. This will heat up the herbs without cooking them.
Unfortunately, I can honestly say that I wasn’t exactly blown away by this feature. After trying it during 6 to 8 sessions, the draw resistance became very difficult to deal with, so it needed to be emptied out because the green color was a lot less vibrant.
Although, the unused nuggets were definitely more potent even if they tasted a bit weird. It was an interesting experiment to say the least, but I know I won’t take advantage of that option too often.
The plus side to the flavor chamber is its ability to smooth and cool the vapor prior to reaching your lips. It does so by increasing the size of the space the vapor needs to travel. The chamber also lessens the amount of cleaning you’ll need to do because it absorbs a wide range of the condensed vapor, instead of having it collect in the mouthpiece. The flavor chamber is also very convenient to use and clean because it pops in and out, plus it also stores concentrate, so you might not want to clean it as often as you think.
Temperature Options, Heating, & Vapor Quality
The IQ vapor quality is very good in my opinion. Out of the current available options, I think it’s the best on the market today. Plus, the flavor is pure, dense, and quite cool because of the ceramic zirconia material.
Next, it definitely has a powerful heater that works very well. The vapor it produces is dense without being overpowered when big draws are taken back to back. I also noticed that this unit is quite efficient with herbs; the AVB is even without stirring, but do not cut your session shorter than necessary. And if you do have to vape quickly, the stirring tool is quite helpful so use it halfway through your session.
The temperature spectrum on the IQ goes from 250°F to 430°F. On average, it takes around 45 seconds to reach your desired temperature. There are also three main heating settings, four different customizable smart paths, and precision mode is also perfect for getting the exact temperature correctly. And if you really want to kick the temperature up a notch, turn on boost mode in either of the heating settings.
Smart Paths for the Davinci IQ Vaporizer
The smart paths are quite interesting because they are already preprogrammed. You select a temperature to start with, and over 10 minutes the temperature will increase by 20°. If you have particular preferences that you’d like to keep on hand, you can use the Davinci app to customize these settings for your sessions.
If you like huge clouds, you’ll like settings 3 and 4. But you might like settings 1 and 2 better if you are more focused on the taste because these temperatures are lower.
The smart paths are definitely convenient and quite enjoyable. During the session, you may even use more than one temperature and you can do all of this entirely on autopilot. If you have a particular strain that you like, you may even want to set up a customized smart path specifically for that strain.
The Smart Path Default Temperature Settings
The default temperature settings on the smart paths begin at 350°F and end at 430°F. The first path is between the range of 350°F to 370°F, and the additional paths follow suit. They are programmed to reach their maximum temperature gradually throughout a session – by about the halfway point – and then the device will remain at this temperature for the rest of the preprogrammed session. Once again, just remember that it’s possible to customize the temperature settings on all of the available smart paths.
Entering Precision Mode
This specific mode will allow a Davinci IQ user to choose a precise temperature and maintain said temperature throughout the entirety of a 10 minute session. It’s possible to change this setting at any time. Simply tap the top button once to turn on precision mode, and then use the up and down button to adjust the temperature to your desired setting.
What Is Boost Mode?
When a user holds down the top button, they will then activate boost mode. This will turn the heater on full blast to achieve maximum heat velocity. When this setting is on, you’ll notice that the IQ now has visible up arrows on the front of the device to clearly show you that it is heating up.
At this stage of the game, the heater is going to continue doing its job until it reaches the maximum 430°F. But this will only work as long as you continue to hold the button down. If you let it go, the temperature is going to return to the last setting in use.
Why use the setting? Boost mode will help you get a little extra kick during your draw.
Using the App for the Davinci IQ
It isn’t necessary to use the app to experience the full range of features with the Davinci IQ. But if you’d like to have extra customization options, the app is necessary.
In truth, I always hesitate when talking about apps because more often than not they tend to be a major letdown. Thankfully the IQ app seems to be in good working order because the experience is smooth and it’s a lot of fun playing around with customized settings. Thankfully, this app never feels obnoxious or clunky at all.
You can access four smart paths while using the app. Also, you can use the app to activate stealth mode which dims the LED brightness.
If you do not use the app, it is impossible to customize your sessions when using the four smart paths. You’ll also miss out on related information including session length, usage time, favorite path, and average temperature. Lastly, you won’t be able to view the amount of times you’ve used the four different smart paths. So if none of this is a big deal, then you might not really care about using the app.
Maintaining & Cleaning the Davinci IQ
All in all, cleaning and maintenance is relatively quick and definitely easy. After each use, simply empty the bowl out and blow out the chamber or brush it out if you prefer. Doing this after each use makes it very simple to clean.
More often than anything else, you’ll need to focus on cleaning the flavor chamber. So simply slide it out and let it soak in isopropyl alcohol for a while. Mouthpieces should be cleaned nearly as much is the flavor chamber. Your best bet is to do them all at the same time and soak them together.
Davinci IQ: Charging Time, Battery Life, Charging Options & Battery Specs
As far as the battery goes, they provided a rechargeable 3500mAh 18650 battery. On average, this battery lasts from 50 to 80 minutes per use.
After the battery dies, it will take about four hours to fully charge it inside the IQ, which might not be that convenient for some of you. A better alternative is to buy an external charger and an extra battery which will only cost around an additional $25. Plus, the external charger charges the battery in about two hours, which is twice as quickly.
Comparing the IQ to the Grasshopper, Pax 3, and Crafty
Out of the options mentioned above, the IQ is almost the most expensive, but it’s also the best when compared to other portable vaporizers as you shall see.
The Grasshopper currently retails for $225 and is an excellent portable option because it conceals easily and fits right into your pocket. In fact, it actually looks like a pen even though it has a ton of power.
It takes 5 to 7 seconds for the device to heat up using convection heating. The rechargeable battery is much smaller than the IQ (750mAh compared to 3500mAh). It also has a lifetime warranty and a rotary dial that allows you to hit the full temperature spectrum.
As far as reliability goes, the Grasshopper definitely doesn’t meet muster. It really isn’t completely reliable. The IQ or the Pax 3 is a much better choice.
And speaking of the Pax 3, which retails for $249, you’ll like this device if outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and mountain biking are your thing. It fits comfortably in your pocket and it heats up really quickly – like in about 15 seconds.
Conduction heating is the name of the game with the Pax 3. You can control the temperatures using a phone app just like the IQ, and the warranty lasts for 10 years which makes it very similar to the IQ as well.
From personal experience, I prefer the IQ’s vapor quality over this device, and this is specifically true in regards to vapor density. The IQ’s removable battery option is also excellent, which overall makes the option from Davinci a much better choice as far as portability is concerned.
On a positive note for the Pax 3, the charge per use lasts for around 100 minutes. And when the battery is completely dead, it only takes about 100 minutes to get it fully charged. The Davinci requires an external charger to get a full charge in 120 minutes, and the battery life only lasts about 50 to 80 minutes per usage.
The Crafty is the most expensive option out of my favorite portable vaporizers. It currently sells for $279. When you compare it to the IQ it doesn’t hold up at all. It takes more than 90 seconds to heat up and the battery life is around 45 minutes, which is much worse than the IQ and Pax 3.
Taste, on the other hand, is a much different story. The Crafty rules the roost as far as vapor quality, smoothness, and taste are concerned. The taste is actually amazing when using this device and you will definitely notice the difference, but the weak power and lack of battery makes it less than desirable when out on the town.
Glass Options for the Da Vinci IQ
Lately, I’ve been spending time using the IQ through glass while at home. This option works very well and the IQ is more than compatible with hydratubes and bubblers. Out of everything I’ve tried, the Honeybird is currently my favorite. It’s basically like a hydratube but it’s improved and a lot smaller.
I like it a lot because it prevents spilling even at the oddest angles. It stays correctly in place which makes it easy to pass the vaporizer around with one hand while the bubbler is attached. This never worked well with hydratubes as you probably know, so keep that in mind and consider buying the Honeybird directly from Davinci for 70 bucks because it’s more than worth it.
Davinci IQ Review – Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, I can honestly say that I really like the Davinci IQ. Their latest portable is the right size, has great features, has an amazing design, and it’s definitely made with top-quality materials. The 10 year warranty is also a nice added touch and since this company has been around for a while, you know they have a great track record.
On the downside, the charge time is a bit of a drag. Getting an external charger and an additional battery definitely helped me overcome my disappointment though so it really isn’t such a big deal. Other people are a little annoyed that there isn’t a concentrate option, but since I prefer dry herbs this really wasn’t a huge problem for me.
Be careful after a long session because the device can get hot. But when compared to Vapir Prima or the Grasshopper, the heat really isn’t a major issue.
Remember, you can get your hands on the IQ for $274.99. We highly recommend buying directly from the manufacturer, so click here to visit their website and thanks for stopping by to read this review.
