DNA20 vs DNA12... my conflict.

[Lance_Wallen]

So,

I've been working up an APV with some specific features, namely a built in rba. I've been building around the DNA12 and am REAL close to a working prototype, as in, the last outsourced part is showing up today or tomorrow and I'll begin assembling it as soon as that happens. BUT... I just found out about the DNA20 board.

for those that havn't seen the videos floating around yet (which I don't have a link to handy, sorry... I'll reply later with links) it's basically the dna board with a build in screen on a ribbon connector, built in buttons for up/down power and a switch and it goes up to 20w as opposed to 12 along with slightly better effeciencies that make it not require a heatsink.

that said... it's obviously "better" than the DNA12, the question is... do I hold off, redesign around the 20 or is the 12 really good enough.

I can solder the switch and pot no problem, I like the design flexibility of being able to locate my sundry components whereever I like but that DNA20 seems pretty nice...

If you were buying a mod tomorrow and knew it could have been made with the 20 or the 12 would it matter to you? Does a screen bring that much to the party when we really adjust to taste anyway? and does >12W matter to that many people? Is it especially a big deal when dealing with RBAs and ultra low resistance coils people tend to use?

I'm very conflicted and need your sweet, soothing words to ease my emotionally torn existance. (woot, overdramatic!)

Also... I wanted to talk about the two boards

 

[asdaq]

I'd say go for it now with the 12. The 20 isn't going to be out for 2-3 months, especially if you wait for it.

You could change your plans in expectation of putting the 20 in later. There's plenty of clues to be seen in the video: it fits in an 18mm round space, the button placement/arrangement is basically seen, and the screen orientation. The worst is getting the buttons right, but if you use large surface areas for your buttons (in place of those nails) likely they will hit in the right places. Also it helps that the proto is clear.

 

[Skyway]

It is a real bonus even having the battery indicator on the screen. I think it would be worth using the 20 myself. Less of a foot print not having to worry about a switch or pot. Flexible OLED would be easy to work with. Could do a screen like the Provari has and have the screen inside the unit.

 

[Lance_Wallen]

I've got ideas already from looking at it, but when I'm machining parts from scratch I need details, not estimations

I'm gonna be putting my initial prototype together with the 12 mostly to test my RBA design and material. I figure the 20 will just require some slight redesign of the case and the addition of a window which shouldn't be that hard. I can have the glass company that's making my pyrex tubes do my windows

 

[asdaq]

Sure. Or, treat the 12 model as practice. Rumors have it that it will be out around Christmas, I was just guessing based on info from the first video, that it is going to have changes made, etc, etc. It sounds like you are close to building now, would you really want to sit on your haunches til then? If you are using the cnc, can't you just make changes later to the original and fab another then?

 

[Lance_Wallen]

yeah, I'm gonna test the RBA portion with the 12 then I'll adjust the case to accomodate the 20. The RBA is the complicated part of the machining so even if I move forward with parts orders I should be fine, I'm making the cases myself so changing that at the 11th hour shouldn't be an issue.

 

[breaktru]

I would continue with the DNA12 and make a new one when the DNA20 comes out. Why not have both?

 

[Dougiestyle]

In the thread that previewed the DNA 20, recently, I inquired about the option to use switches other than the mini-tactile that are built-in to the PCB. I'd like the option of using other components. I'm almost in the same boat as you, where I have half the mod built around the DNA 12, and all of a sudden this 20 comes out of nowhere. I have no use for >20W. I do like the screen and button-adjustable digital pot, tho. I want to be able to locate buttons according to preference, not wherever I'm allowed by the circuit. I'm going forward with my DNA 12 mod, as designed, then we'll see what comes of the 20 when it hits availability.

 

[retird]

I seldom vape over 9 watts so the DNA12 or DNA20 will both be overkill....but I like the oled screen...so I will have both.....the DNA12 now and the 20 later...

Lance....my thoughts on your situation are to build the 12 now and test your RBA....then modify your enclosure to fit the 20 when it comes out...

 

[in4mati0n11]

I personally wont be buying a new device of any kind until the newer DNA 20 is available... Why? I have all i need for right now and just doesnt make sense to buy yesterdays stuff..

my humble .02

 

[Lance_Wallen]

Are there any commercially available mods that use the DNA12 board?.. I know the Opus has evolv guts, not sure it's the DNA12 but it's "DNA" of some sort. I don't know of any other DNA powered mods that are made in production.

 

[Skyway]

Both the Opus and a Woodville uses the DNA12 currently. I am not sure where the Woodville is sold but I saw one at Vapercon. They had a very interesting way of using the DNA inside of it. Not many wires at all. Mostly utilized ways of soldering the pot and battery connectors straight to the board.

 

[jmarkus]

i think theres a tube mode called the stallion, takes 22650 batteries i believe..

 

[digunderground]

I like that you can VERY easily do touch switches on the DNA 12.. wondering what the versatility for fire buttons will be for the DNA 20.. I know the wattage up / down are on board, but not much i've seen has discussed the "fire" button. Anyone know (looking at BREAKTRU)?

 

[Wooky]

Lance, I have been watching your thread with your new machine, your new box mod and rba. The question you are asking now is, wait or build. I say build now with DNA 12, the new DNA 20 does have a few great things about it like the oled and the buttons but other than that I don't think many folks vape at 20? I could be wrong but man that's a lotta juice!!

Good luck with whatever you decide!!

Wook

 

[Lance_Wallen]

I decided to hold off for a DNA20. Talked with Brandon today from evolv and it'll be worth the wait. I did get a couple of details that people might like...

1. You can use your own switches. There are tactile buttons on there but there are also some holes to solder to for your own buttons if you want.

2. It's not an issue many people ran into but the DNA boards have a constant, minor draw on the battery. It's tiny and not really something worth worrying about regarding battery life but it did have the slight potential to over drain a battery if you left it in the device for a really, really long time. The new board has a hardware lock that will shut it down to avoid over discharge on the battery at a certain voltage level.

3. After talking with him, it's obvious he's put a baffling amount of thought into the smallest of details and the product is going to be amazing. Down to the fact that he upgraded his switches on the board because he wasn't happy with the throw on the original switches. He's really thought this one out, the DNA12 was already an amazing resource to have in the community, the 20 is going to be even better.

 

[jmarkus]

awesome info, thanks lance.

 

[asdaq]

Lance, did you happen to find out physical dimensions at all? Most useful for a builder.

 

[Lance_Wallen]

Not yet Asdaq, I will hopefully have that info soon. I'll share whatever I can once I know more.

 

[Covert]

Currently waiting to purchase my first DNA chip. Have this really nice aluminum box just waiting for it