Anyone have an answer for this question?
If the funky pulse frequency modulated output from the SX350J in temp mode is desirable than DC, rather than a hack to be able to measure resistance between pulses, why don't they use it for Kanthal mode?
Actually, you're quite wrong. The DNA40 adjusts the voltage, while the SXM adjusts frequency. The end result is the same, which is that both approaches adjust the power delivery to maintain a certain heat within the coil based on its resistance. Thus, neither approach is inherently inferior, rather the difficult question to answer is who has the better gradient descent algorithm or its equivalent to employ the given method. That's not something that can be easily answered by just looking at an O-Scope. Moreover, people who argue that PFM or Voltage modulation are superior are frankly fanboys without a clue. So long as the frequency of the modulation is high enough, the real issue is who has a better algorithm to track the changes in resistance, not whether voltage or frequency modulation is in use.
I don't think anybody gives a crap anymore. They both do what they're intended to do, one way or the other.
The only person really interested in these debates was forced to move on some time ago. It has been quite friendly and peaceful since then.
Regards
Tony
Sent from my keyboard through my phone or something like that.
I very respectfully disagree. I've been reading through the thread; yes, it did unfortunately degrade to fanboyism (and yes, I have had the pleasure of running into the person to whom you refer since joining a couple years back...), but I do think it's still a very relevant comparison for anyone in the market for one or the other (as I was just a few short weeks ago). I'm the type of person that doesn't buy (and doesn't want to buy) new gear frequently; I want something that will be good, consistent, and that will last a long time. As such, I put a great deal of time into researching devices/attys/etc. before pulling the trigger. I find threads such as this to be incredibly helpful in making a decision (well, at least until it turns into an all-out flame war...).
I completely agree that both chips have been proven to do what they claim to do, and they both do it well, so I'm sure (as with me) a lot of decisions will be made on differences in features, opinions, reported experiences, and very minor preferences. It's just unfortunate that these threads do turn out the way they do, as I think it's the people who need them most (ie, people legitimately seeking information) who end up losing out.
Regarding the person who's name shall not be spoken, I'm actually sad he's gone. At least we knew where he was and with whom he was messing with. Now we browse the forum and have to watch the shadows trying to set apart friends from foes... Life used to be simpler.
Anyone have an answer for this question?
If the funky pulse frequency modulated output from the SX350J in temp mode is desirable than DC, rather than a hack to be able to measure resistance between pulses, why don't they use it for Kanthal mode?
In case any lurkers/etc really are looking for an answer to this question:
The SX350J does not monitor resistance/adjust voltage while the device is being fired in power mode; it picks up the last resistance before being fired, and fires at a constant voltage until the button is released.
Based on the charts I've seen, the DNA40 continuously monitors resistance and adjusts, even while the device is being fired.
The reason the SX uses PFM in temp mode is because it needs to pulse the coil in order to detect the resistance (and then adjust power accordingly to maintain temperature), whereas the DNA uses another method to detect resistance without having to pulse (I'm not familiar with the details).
As has been said, though, while the chips do use different methods, the resulting vape experience is pretty much identical in most practical situations.
Hardly:Also, for everyone who says the Chinese just copy and don't do anything innovative: you're absolutely right. I mean, yeah, technically they did invent the electronic cigarette, but that's just a technicality, right?![]()
Yes, they didn't invent the electric cigarette using a heat bulb that heats moistened air, but then no one uses that anyhow. What they did figure out was the use of a heating coil and wicking directly against the coil, which the patent cited doesn't describe.![]()
I'd say the above is mostly speculation. For example, I'm highly skeptical you have any way to show whether or not the SX Mini monitors resistance during firing. The assertion that it does not adjust voltage during firing when resistance changes, even if true, would not allow an observer to know whether resistance is being monitored during firing. The choice of what to do when resistance changes is basically an engineering decision. E.g., Evolv may have chosen to adjust the voltage, YiHi may have chosen to keep the voltage fixed. Both approaches can lead to bad outcomes. The preferred solution would probably be to turn off power after detecting a large resistance change and then display a check atomizer message.
Same thing goes for the SX using PFM in temp mode, where external observation may have led to tail wagging the dog speculation. For example, what one assumes to be a resistance check pulse may be voltage solely due to noise and not the chip. If so means that the SX Mini may be using an offset compensated ohms measurement method to make the measurement of resistance during firing more accurate. More accurate measurements can improve the control algorithm, but they aren't necessary per se. For instance they may have decided on PFM, then realized they could use the offset compensated ohms method (or some other low voltage measurement approach) while they were at it to improve the experience.
Otherwise, I do agree with you that the above speculations really don't matter that much, as it's how they perform that matters most and in that regard they are fairly similar enough.