Table of Content:
The Davinci IQ2: First Look and Review
The Davinci IQ has been effortlessly lording over the world of vapes for the last three years. It is the confluence of perfect design, futuristic technology, and innovative thought that, with their powers combined, create a dry herb vape that functions every bit as perfect as it looks. What could possibly cast a shadow over such a stable, longstanding reign?
In true Davinci fashion, they’ve decided to fight fire with fire by creating the (anticipated) Davinci IQ2. As the name suggests, the IQ2 isn’t a full departure from the original IQ.
But does the new IQ2 stand up to, and out-perform the original IQ, or is it simply a version of the IQ packed with upgraded, more contemporary, technology, with no power on its own? And, more importantly, is it worth the price?
What’s in the Box?
Let’s get started by unpacking the IQ2 box:
- Davinci IQ 2 Vaporizer
- Dosage Pad & Ceramic Extract Disc
- Flat & Extended mouthpiece
- Alcohol wipes, Organic cotton pads
- Charging cable, Manual, Spare pick tool
- Dosage Pad
This looks pretty straightforward except for perhaps the dosage pad. The dosage pad is a small ceramic canister that can be used with dry herbs (fitting 0.2gr of dry herbs instead of the 0.5gr that fits into the oven) or solid extracts (a ceramic disc that can be inserted into the dosage pad, and used with solid extracts such as wax or dab).
Davinci IQ2: Background and Ethos
The original DaVinci IQ was released late 2016 and has if anything become more popular in the three years since then. The Miqro followed in 2018 which was marketed as a smaller version of the IQ, and since then there have been no other major releases from the brand until now with IQ2.
With the IQ2, it cannot be denied that Davinci have attempted to build upon the strong aspects of the original unit and improve those aspects that needed it. It has the same general look and feel of the original, but for several reasons (which we’ll get to), Davinci have created a unit that goes beyond simple comparison.
Like the other DaVinci vaporizers, the IQ2 is built with purity, longevity, and simplicity in mind, with medical-grade components and some really impressive and simple to use technology.
Of course, no metal or plastic touches your material thanks to a sophisticated conduction glass-lined heating system, and the all-ceramic air path is engineered with zirconia, creating an unprecedented purity and vapor flavor.
The Davinci IQ2: Design, Features, and Accessories
So what are the specifications of this brand new Davinci??
- Compatible With - Dry Herb & Extracts
- Capacity - 0.5g Dry Herb Oven/0.2g Dosage Pod
- Heating System - Glass Lined Oven/Conduction
- Air Flow - Adjustable/Five Levels
- Air Path - Airtight/Glass and Zirconia Ceramic
- Temperature Control - Smart Paths and Precision Temperature Mode On Device LED Display
- Smartphone App - Personalization, Temperature Control, Track and Report Dosage, Update Firmware
- Materials - Outside is Brushed Aluminum
- Size - 4.5 x 9.2 x 2.5 cm
- Weight - 6 oz or 170 g
- Heat-up Time - 30 Seconds
- battery type - 18650/ 1 Hour Use/ Removable/Rechargeable
- Charging Time - 6 Hours in IQ2 (less in external chargers, sold separately)
The IQ2 is a dry herb vaporizer that is also compatible with solid concentrates, and like other Davinci vaporizers, the IQ2 contains no loose parts, which makes it easy to load material into your device when you are on the go.
The grid display provides feedback in a panel of 51 dimmable LED lights to show the length of your draw, your dose per draw, precise temperature, Smart Path, battery level and more.
The battery is rechargeable and replaceable with any flat-top18650 battery with 10A continuous discharge, and the temperature is controllable both manually or through the app, with 5 smart paths to choose from for your perfect vaping experience. ( The IQ2 will automatically heat up and vibrate when the designed temperature has been reached )
When on smart path mode, the IQ will gradually increase the temperature over an eight-minute session. Mode 1: starts at 350F and increases to 370F, Mode 2: starts at 370F and increases to 390F, Mode 3- starts at 390 and increases to 410F, and Mode 4: starts at 410 and increases to 430F).
And, of course, the Zirconia Ceramic air path does a fantastic job of keeping vapor pure and those terpenes tasty.
But aside from all of the amazing things that the Davinci IQ2 has proclaimed to come standard with this vape, what about all the fun accessories you can add on to totally customize your experience? Well, here’s the ultimate list of accessories for this great little vape:
- Dosage Pad & Ceramic Extract Disc
- Flat & Extended mouthpiece
- Alcohol wipes, Organic cotton pads
- Charging cable, Manual, Spare pick tool
- Dosage Pad
- The Dosage pad is a ceramic canister that can be used with Dry herbs or allow the use of solid extracts
The dosage pad fits 0.2g of dry herbs instead of the normal 0.5g that fits into the oven, so it can be used as an oven reducer for microdosing. How great is that? The IQ2 also comes with a ceramic disc that can be inserted into the dosage pad and used with solid extracts such as wax concentrates.
The choice of the mouthpiece is great, and if you’re looking for the smoothest draw, go for the extended mouthpiece. With all of these extras, it’s amazingly easy to make this vape your own!
The Davinci IQ2: Performance/Vapor Quality
Performance :
The original IQ, as anyone who has used one before knows, performs exceptionally well, and the IQ2 is no different. The Air Dial is a great feature and is an excellent way to manually adjust the airflow and what you will achieve from the vape session. It’s simple to operate and really fun to play around with!
Beyond this, the battery performance is again really good. The IQ2 will last around 6-8 sessions before it needs to be recharged. However, it does take about 3 to 6 hours to recharge fully, which is a hefty bit of time to wait.
Checkout: - DaVinci IQ2 Cleaning Guide
Vapor Quality :
The IQ2, like the original IQ, produces an amazing quality vapor that manages to be thick as well as full of flavor. The Air Dial preserves the more delicate flavors of the terpenes and ensures they don’t get too hot and burn away, and the airpath is glass and zirconia, which are both great materials for cooling vapor and for making sure the vapor is pure time and time again.
We recommend not setting the temperature above 410F for dry herbs, but if you’re vaping concentrates you could approach the IQ2’s maximum temperature of 430F.
Beyond this, the zirconia pearl helps to regulate the temperature along with the Air Dial and ensures that all your material is heated evenly and nothing gets wasted. And, the super long airpath again cools down the vapor, especially with the extended mouthpiece.
Checkout: - Best Dry Herb Vaporizers 2021
The Davinci IQ 2: How To Use/How To Maintain
How To Use
The IQ2 has two modes that make it easy to use no matter what your preference: Smart path or Precision mode. While the Smart Path mode gradually increases the temperature by 20 degrees as you vape, allowing the user to choose from four preset Smart Paths or to customize their own.
To begin to use the Davinci IQ2, simply:
- Fill the chamber with dry herb
- Click the power button five times to unlock and activate the device
- Select one of the four preset Smart Paths
- When the device has heated to the indicated temperature, it will lightly vibrate to let the user know that they can now take a draw
When on smart path mode, the IQ will increase the temperature over eight minutes consecutively. The modes available are:
- Mode 1: starts at 350F and increases to 370F
- Mode 2: starts at 370F and increases to 390F
- Mode 3- starts at 390F and increases to 410F
- Mode 4: starts at 410F and increases to 430F
Pressing the power button once will display the current temperature when in smart-path mode. While the temp is displayed, you can enter precision mode by pressing the up or down arrows, and set a precise temperature between 350-430F.
How To Maintain
It’s, of course, crucial to the life of your vape to maintain it consistently, clean it regularly, and empty your oven after every use.
Every 9-12 uses the device will require a deeper clean, which includes cleaning the following components with ISO alcohol:
- The “flavor chamber” and the mouthpiece.
- The oven and Zirconia pearl.
- Any latches or moving parts that collected residue.
Because of the many great features, the IQ2 has, like the flavor chamber and the zirconia pearl, the device is higher maintenance compared to other vapes. Nothing about the vape is difficult to clean, but it could take a bit more time and patience than with other vapes.
The Davinci IQ2: How does it Compare to the Davinci IQ?
The two devices do indeed have quite a lot in common, and with such a winning set of factors, why wouldn’t Davinci decide to keep some of the best qualities of the IQ and use them in the IQ2:
- They both have the same Smart Paths and temperature range
- They’ll both take roughly 3.5 hours to top up from empty to full, using the same removable 18650 battery system, MicroUSB charger, and heating technology. Maybe we’ve noticed a bit better battery life from the IQ2 as the bowl is now insulated better, radiating less heat, and improving energy efficiency
- The bowls still hold between 0.3-0.5 grams and use the same ceramic conduction heating element. However, the new IQ2 comes with some concentrate pads for better compatibility with waxes and resins. The pearl has been marginally upgraded to work a little better as a chamber reducer, though all in all there hasn’t been many changes made at all in this regard
- The conduction-type oven that’s easy to clean
- The new IQ2 is a whole 9% bigger and 11 grams heavier than the original IQ, and this variation doesn’t make a noticeable difference. They both slip comfortably into the pocket and hideaway in the hand very well
While the IQ2 looks quite similar to the original IQ, the advancements to the technology on the inside is really quite astonishing, and Davinci have included technologies that give consumers a whole new level of control not just over their session, but also insight into their vaping patterns.
The IQ2 allows for users to customize their dry herb or concentrate experience through precision temperature and adjustable airflow, and track/report their dose per draw and per session.
The IQ2 comes with concentrate pads for better compatibility with waxes and resins, and the pearl has been marginally upgraded to work a little better as a chamber reducer.
Checkout: - DaVinci IQ2 Cleaning Guide
Here are the most outstanding, new, spectacular, additions to the IQ2:
Air Dial™ for Adjustable Air Flow
Users can now adjust their units using the IQ2’s airflow dial for easier draws and vapor that is said to be 50% cooler than other dry herb vaporizers. This feature allows you to reduce draw resistance while experiencing denser, larger, and more satisfying vapor.
On Device and In-App Dosage Calculation
The Davinci IQ2 wants to create more educated vapers, and its ability to calculate and track dosage is a great start. All a user has to do is input the strain potency into the app and the amount of dry herb or extracts in the oven and the IQ2 will track and report the dose per draw and per session.
Moreover, users can add a maximum dose per session in the app and the IQ2 will alert when the desired dose has been reached.
Dual Compatibility
As mentioned above, the IQ2 comes equipped with a dosage pod so that the unit can be used with both dry herbs and concentrates, which is something that even the biggest original IQ fan will appreciate.
The dosage feature on the IQ2 works with concentrates as well, so users can still be kept informed about the particulars of their doses.
The Davinci IQ2: Pros and Cons
While it can’t be denied that this vape is spectacular all around, we need to be realistic. What are the main pros and cons of the new Davinci IQ2?
Pros 🥳 |
Cons 🤨 |
New manual adjustable Air Draw technology |
Long charging time compared to other devices |
Load Your Own & Know Your Dose - the IQ2 features full on-device dosage control and session-tracking information |
Overall larger than the original Davinci IQ and as such slightly less portable |
Made with medical-grade materials |
The attachable mouthpiece is quite long - the device could have benefitted from a shorter, permanent mouthpiece |
10-year warranty |
Many intricate pieces make for a longer cleaning time |
Easier to clean than previous Davinci vapes |
Might be expensive for the novice vaper |
More powerful oven |
The app may prove hard to use for the less technologically savvy user |
Who is this Vape For? Who is it Not For?
This vape is paving the way for a new generation of informed consumers and consumption in the world of vapes. If you aren’t daunted by all of the excellent innovation the Davinci IQ2 can offer, then let this vape show off everything it can do to make you more informed about your dosage needs.
The ability to completely customize your vaping experience, and know exactly what that means, is the true innovation of this vape. The fact that it’s arguably just as easy to operate and use as the original IQ isn’t lost to us either, making it great for beginners and aficionados.
Although, all of this innovation can seem intimidating, and at the end of the day, might be a great idea but one not used by all, or even many, people who use the IQ2. This innovation comes at a price that some may not be willing to pay if they know they won’t take advantage of these features.
Is this vape worth replacing your perfectly functional original IQ? If it’s not broken, don’t upgrade it. But if you’ve been looking into transitioning into the world of vaping generally, or Davinci more specifically, the new Davinci IQ stands as an exemplary representative of everything this brand can do!
MORE FROM DA VINCI VAPES :
Davinci MIQRO: Smaller / Great for personal dry herb micro-dosing
Davinci IQ: Original model / Still one of the best dual portable vapes