Darwin...Is it really different?

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I for one am sold on the concept. I even like the fold down atty connection. I'm waiting to see what the final version looks like.

The thing I really like about the swing down arm, is when the arm is in the down position, it covers the switch and the dial. So when you put it in your pocket, it wont accidently fire. I am really digging the performance and I too am waiting to see the final design.

And too be honest, even if this was the design they went with, the layout is user friendly and it feels good in the hands, so I would be happy with this, but still excited to see how and what they change on it. I do know that the rubber strip around the unit will not be there anymore and that the channel they machined for it will not be there.
 

Rocketman

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I am pretty much lost after that...:blush:

Me too:)

This mod does not follow the paradigms of variable whatever vaping (VWV?) we are used to seeing. The concept of dialing in watts in the first place, which seems to be what makes the heat in the second place, seems confusing to some. Yes, a variable voltage or variable current mod would vary the wattage to the atty. You can get the exact same vaping performance from any mod that has the oomph to fire up your atty. The exact same performance. Vary one electrical parameter, the rest follow ohms law. Period. If a regulator circuit senses output voltage or thru-put current, the end result is the same. It's just what kind of analysis you have to perform to determine what your operating parameters are.

How would this mod be different than a VARIABLE VOLTAGE MOD that measured atty current, atty voltage and multiplied them together and displayed watts? Could you adjust this "Variable Voltage Mod" to display 10 watts? Would the regulator circuit keep the current stable? What is the di/dt of the regulator? Probably much faster than 1/1000 of a second. If you changed attys would the microprocessor be able to recalculate the watts delivered? Yes. Do we need to know atty resistance to calculate watts this way? NO. Any two parameters (volts, ohms, amps, watts) is all that is needed to calculate any of the others.

So, are you a 10 watt vaper? Or a 5 volt vaper? And do you know the resistance of all your attys, or even care?
Is the "SWEET SPOT" 10 watts, or 5 volts,or 2 amps, or 2.5 ohms?
Or all of the above, or none of the above?


Ok you guys can come back in now :)

Sure is a nice looking mod
 
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From what I understand, the battery will be replaceable. I dont know if its something where you order a replacement battery and do it yourself or if it has to be mailed back to the manufacturer. I dont know if its proprietary or not.

From what I have been told, the battery is good for 1000+ charges. So a heavy vaping person might charge it once a day and a light to medium vaping person might get 1 1/2- 2 days from a single charge. So the battery should last roughly 3-5 years, depending on the useage.

At the moment, I dont know what kind of batteries are used, I dont know the price point of the unit and I dont know the scheduled release date. I have been told that the unit should be available in early/mid december.

I posted Brandons ID in an earlier post, Icabod...for specific questions I would suggest PMing him directly. I know suppliers are not allowed to answer directly in the thread, so this is the best way to contact him.
 
MuttSRT I had to read your posts a few times in which you explain why regulating watts gives a more consistant vape than regulating volts does. If what you say is true, you are onto something good. Question is why has this not been pursued previously by other mod builders By anybody else?
Does it have to do with the price of the electrical components used?
Or is what you are saying about watt control being more important than volt control for a consistent vape - taking into account different atty's resistance and battery life- in dispute with the people who know about this stuff like electrical engineers and such?
 
MuttSRT I had to read your posts a few times in which you explain why regulating watts gives a more consistant vape than regulating volts does. If what you say is true, you are onto something good. Question is why has this not been pursued previously by other mod builders By anybody else?
Does it have to do with the price of the electrical components used?
Or is what you are saying about watt control being more important than volt control for a consistent vape - taking into account different atty's resistance and battery life- in dispute with the people who know about this stuff like electrical engineers and such?

The way I understand it, you have to control more than just voltage. If a variable voltage device had a dial for voltage, a dial for amps, a meter to keep a constant reading on the resistance so you could make adjustments, etc etc, then you might be able to get a steady consistent vape from the device.

The darwin regulates amps, voltage and also keeps adjusting for the resistance as it changes. By doing this, the user ends up with a steady heat output.

How come no one else has done it before? I dont know the answer to that. Maybe it has to do with the cost of research and development? Maybe its because for the most part, we as vaper's have settled for higher voltage devices, regardless of consistency? Maybe no one else has thought to do it? I dont know that answer. What I do know, is that never have I been able to vape for 13 straight hours and have my first inhale be just exactly like my last inhale.

And I also want to restate, I am not affiliated with Evolv nor did I have any idea that they were working on the Darwin. Like most, I found out about it on the VB thread. I just happened to be chosen as a tester. I have since talked to the maker of the mod, and I am just trying to pass along #1 my opinion of the device and #2 accurate information as to how and why the device works. If I run across a flaw in how the device works, I WILL also come to this thread and say that as well. But for now, with my time using the device, it has worked flawlessly.
 
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Thanks.... You put alot of effort into this thread. Now I have to digest the info. I will def. Keep an eye out for this mod. Hopefully the finished product will be released soon. I tell ya, vaping stopped my smoking habit dead, mow I have a new fascination with devices! Now I am checking out mods (currently on the eGo, dripping, with cisco 306) and the choice just gets better and better. The industry is in it's infancy and 2011 will a year of innovation as far as mods go. Thanks again for the excellent review and taking the time to respond muttSRT.
 

Switched

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MuttSRT I had to read your posts a few times in which you explain why regulating watts gives a more consistant vape than regulating volts does. If what you say is true, you are onto something good. Question is why has this not been pursued previously by other mod builders By anybody else?
Does it have to do with the price of the electrical components used?
Or is what you are saying about watt control being more important than volt control for a consistent vape - taking into account different atty's resistance and battery life- in dispute with the people who know about this stuff like electrical engineers and such?

I know of at least 2 individuals playing with the idea or a similar idea. This type of device does not get fabricated in a WE. It seems Darwin will be the first one to hit the streets though.

R&D is expensive for this type of device, and the price point must be priced just right for the community.
 

AngusATAT

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(Quick disclaimer: This post contains my personal opinions, and in no way represents the views of the ECF forum. I'm not receiving anything for testing this unit. I'm just a vaper that enjoys trying out new things.)


Well, my beta unit arrived in the mail today. I've been testing it out for about four hours now, and my initial impression is... this thing is very, very nice. Mine is even uglier than Mutt's because the supplier pretty much crammed a new board into an older beta case. Not that I care, as I am just testing out the functionality. The final product will look quite a bit different, from what I am told. It'll keep the basic shape, but will be a bit shorter, possibly thinner, and more rounded.

This is easily the most consistent vaping I have done to date. Every single "drag" is exactly the same as the one before it. Also, it is extremely easy to dial in the exact wattage that is perfect for me. So far I have tried it with both a Bogetech 510 carto and dripping with a 510 atty. Both have been great on this unit.

It has two 900mAh LiPo cells inside. It is my understanding that these cells are much more accurate as far as the mAh rating is concerned, so I don't think getting a solid day's worth of vaping out of it would be out of the question. These batts definitely put out some power.

This post is just my initial impressions of how this device functions, and so far, I am very impressed. It works, it works well, and it's extremely user-friendly. I'll post more in-depth once I've had a chance to really put this thing to work.
 
That's not the final product. Test products are often disguised in clunky shells/containers so the competition doesn't see all their cards.

At least someone understands...lol

But seriously, even if the pics I posted were of the finished design, the way the Darwin works is what makes it so good. Anything can be made prettier and smaller etc. But the Darwin stands out as far as the way it functions. The unit that I have to test is laid out to be user friendly. The dial and button are easy to use and the way the swing arm connector works, keeps one from firing it off accidentally when in the pocket.
 

AngusATAT

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Starting day 2 with the Darwin...

On a starting note, just like with any variable voltage mod, I do not recommend using LR atties or cartos on this unit. They just aren't necessary.

And just for fun, I put on a used carto that I was going to toss out, cranked the Darwin up as high as it would go, and hit the button. I kid you not, the vapor was pouring out of the carto like steam out of a teapot, creating a plume that shot out about a foot. :lol:

I am just as happy with my "RedneckDarwin" today as I was yesterday. I call mine the "RedneckDarwin" because it is ugly as sin. The newer model board and batteries don't quite fit this older beta case it was put in, and it was making the case "gap" a bit on the end, so I took some duct tape to close that little sucker up tight. It makes for a handy little grip, but kinda makes it look like it was made in a high-tech trailer park. :) The reality is, however, that it is more like a rusted out old AMC Pacer with a Lamborghini Diablo engine hidden inside. I've opened it up and took a look under the hood, and can see that a lot of thought went into designing this unit, from the dual LiPo cells to the well thought-out circuit board, and even the neat way they designed the swing arm to make it work the way it does. No, I won't go into too much detail (yet), or show pics of the inside, but it won't be too much longer before all that info is out, anyway. I can't wait to see what the final case design will look like.

I spent most of the night last night using a 510 atomizer on it, and direct dripping. (I really need to get a VapeMate... argh). It was great. There is no need to even look at the display if you don't want to, as dialing in the perfect setting for you is incredibly simple. Start off low, then just increase it little by little until it is exactly where you want it to be, then just vape your heart out. Very user-friendly.

I also spent a little time vaping in front of the mirror, just to I could watch the display as I used it. (The old eyes aren't good enough to watch something that close to my face). The voltage and amps will change as you vape, showing the Darwin adjusting to maintain a consistant wattage.

Going strictly by the usability and functionality of the device so far... I will definitely buy one as soon as they are available, and I'll be pretty sad when the time comes to send the beta unit back. I will miss my RedneckDarwin.
 

AngusATAT

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Since this isn't in a suppliers forum -- is this the competition for the eclipse?

I wouldn't think so, unless they are changing the Eclipse to be power regulated rather than voltage regulated. In some ways, any mod is competition to the others, as far as sales is concerned, but the Darwin is really in a category all it's own for the time being. I imagine we will see more bells and whistles added in later versions.
 
You can't have mine! Mine doesn't even have the etching that yours does.

Besides, I am farther south than you, so I deserve a Redneck version more. :p

I think its time for a couple pics, lol

I personally think you two should trade!!!:)

Since this isn't in a suppliers forum -- is this the competition for the eclipse? It seems more advanced than the Provari and other vv mods......will the final version have an AFS?
The Darwin, at least the first run will not have an AFS. never heard of the eclipse, so cant tell you if its the same. (i did a search for it but found nothing. a link would be helpful) As far as the normal vv mods, they are not even in the same league here... The Darwin is much more advanced. Its not only the first power regulated mod, its the first "smart mod".
 
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