The Darwin From Evolv!!!
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Well, ask something like that in most vendor's forums and you can expect to get a lot of glowing input... but here I think you'll get pretty balanced information overall. Here's my quick and dirty take on it.
I would not tell you to change from anything else. Every "mod" has checks in the "plus" and the "minus" columns, and what those checks are vary from person to person.
What I would say is that the Darwin is a vaping instrument well worth considering as an addition to your vaping arsenal. Depending very much upon your preferences, it may or may not become your mainstay device.
Some highlights:
My Personal Mixed Bag:
- Protection. An example: Directly shorting a battery is a bad thing. The Darwin senses when this happens and displays a warning and shuts down the output. If the short persists and the operator keeps firing away anyway, certain internal components will eventually fail.
-- The downside is that if that occurs it must be sent in for repair, which is inconvenient if you don't have a good backup device.
-- The upshot is that I am 100% confident that the battery will not overheat or blow up in my hand should I fail to recognize the condition and fix it. So, more plus than minus but still mixed, though I'm not sure that any device can provide that kind of protection without sacrificing itself for the safety of the user.
My Personal Minus Column:
- Closing the swing arm with some attachments. While it closes with pretty much any standard cartomizer or atomizer and most drip shields, there are still some that require extenders to close the arm, and tanks are a complete wash without multiple extenders or a gooseneck. I knew this going in so it's not something I obsess over, but it remains inconvenient at times. (That said, the Darwin works great with tanks - and just about anything else you can connect to it).
- Aesthetic details. There are some minor details that seem out of place to me given the careful attention to detail overall. But they don't affect operation and not everyone sees them the way I do so I won't detail them right now.
My Personal Plus Column:
- The biggest selling point of the Darwin is "variable power" or "power regulating" depending on where you read it. What it boils down to in practice is that once you find the sweet spot setting for a given atomizer/cartomizer and nicquid, your vape will be consistent from that point on, until you change something or the battery poops out. Anything beyond that are just details.
- It's not a tube. I have nothing against tubes per se and I now have a couple of tubes in my collection, but the Darwin stays put no matter how you set it down and in my opinion pockets better. And in direct comparison I find that I actually like the form factor and in-hand feel just a bit better when in use.
- Integrated battery. Some don't like this on principal; I like it because this doesn't add to the collection of batteries that have to be managed and chargers that quickly take up all my outlets ("Any USB port in a storm", as it were). With SR/HR atomizers and cartomizers battery life is amazing anyway. The policy of 1 year battery warranty / $25 to replace after that gives me enough peace of mind.
- The display. The Darwin is a geek/info junkie's dream. If you like checking or tracking your ohms, volts, current and power - plus seeing positive indications of certain kinds of errors like a shorted connection - you get all of that at once without any menus or mucking about, and will love it.
- General feel. This thing feels solid and like it means business, like a tool or an instrument.
- Continued development. If "Evolv" and "Darwin" don't clue you in, development of this device is an ongoing process. While the form hasn't morphed there have been very definite improvements in many important aspects just in the relatively short time I've owned mine. I am confident that should I get another one sometime down the line, it will be an even better product than what I have in hand now.
- Service and Communications. The one time I've had mine serviced communications was OUTSTANDING and turn-around time was reasonable. Considering that other companies I've dealt with couldn't be bothered to even check their email weekly much less daily, I was very impressed.
You can take all of that any way you like. My bottom-line recommendation is that if you are already dabbling in higher-end devices and have the resources, you'd be doing yourself a disservice by not at least checking the Darwin out.
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vaptamist, another difference is that ProVari (which I agree is a great device and respect) will digitally hold the voltage constant exactly where it is set. So, if you like to change attys, if you change to different Ωs and want the same under-load POWER (watts - in vaping express as heat), you have to read the Ωs of the different atty/carto, recalculate and reset the ProVari. Darwin will automatically read the new/changed atty/carto Ωs and make the Power Regulated adjustments for you instantly. Also, all atty/carto Ωs will change over the life of the atty/carto (they go down). So, on ProVari, if you do not read the Ωs and make the adjustments, over the life of an atty/carto, and as the Ωs drop, your vapor will get warmer/hotter = basic Ohms Law. Darwin (and the impending Kick) is constantly reading the Ohms and making adjustments (microprocessor does this in real time) to provide you with the same Power/Watts (expressed as heat) to give you the most consistent vape over the lives of your various attys and cartos. I suspect that as you continue to use your new Darwin, you will see the advantages of this Power Regulating feature.
Enjoy and Happy
Enjoy and Happy
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I don't know what changes they made other than the blue screen, but I would like to see the dial have numerous stops and not just one at 8.4 and be more difficult to turn, I find I bump it without noticing. I wish the swivel would either be much stiffer or have several stops for different angles. With tanks it gets floppy... 
I disagree that you can just plug in different cartos and get the same vape by leaving the watts at the same number. It sounds good in theory, but in my experience, it is not applicable most of the time, especially if you use DC or TC cartos.
There needs to be an adapter for tanks that allows the arm to close. Different colors would be nice. A more tactile button, bigger battery, are two more things off the top of my head. The electronics are great and innovative. I like that eVolv makes the changes and doesn't charge more. Provari is coming out with a blue LED but it is going to cost extra. I apologize in advance if they have made any of these improvements. The blinking, I think that was the Darwin performing self diagnostics, wasn't it? It doesn't bother me. It's like anything else, after a while you don't notice it.
I disagree that you can just plug in different cartos and get the same vape by leaving the watts at the same number. It sounds good in theory, but in my experience, it is not applicable most of the time, especially if you use DC or TC cartos. There needs to be an adapter for tanks that allows the arm to close. Different colors would be nice. A more tactile button, bigger battery, are two more things off the top of my head. The electronics are great and innovative. I like that eVolv makes the changes and doesn't charge more. Provari is coming out with a blue LED but it is going to cost extra. I apologize in advance if they have made any of these improvements. The blinking, I think that was the Darwin performing self diagnostics, wasn't it? It doesn't bother me. It's like anything else, after a while you don't notice it.
vaptamist, another difference is that ProVari (which I agree is a great device and respect) will digitally hold the voltage constant exactly where it is set. So, if you like to change attys, if you change to different Ωs and want the same under-load POWER (watts - in vaping express as heat), you have to read the Ωs of the different atty/carto, recalculate and reset the ProVari. Darwin will automatically read the new/changed atty/carto Ωs and make the Power Regulated adjustments for you instantly. Also, all atty/carto Ωs will change over the life of the atty/carto (they go down). So, on ProVari, if you do not read the Ωs and make the adjustments, over the life of an atty/carto, and as the Ωs drop, your vapor will get warmer/hotter = basic Ohms Law. Darwin (and the impending Kick) is constantly reading the Ohms and making adjustments (microprocessor does this in real time) to provide you with the same Power/Watts (expressed as heat) to give you the most consistent vape over the lives of your various attys and cartos. I suspect that as you continue to use your new Darwin, you will see the advantages of this Regulated Power feature.
Enjoy and Happy
This is huge and the BEST of all its features in my opinion only,,, and having the same consistent vape all the time no matter where you set it and with whatever your using on it. Darwin ROCKS !
emonty, I'm seriously jealous. How's that thing performing for you? I sooooo want one . . .
I must admit I kinda like the ease of turning on the thumbwheel. I used to think I wanted it stiffer, but after experiencing stiffer thumbwheels (on the Ipro and ones I've bought for mod building) I find that I like the loose feel best. I do occasionally adjust it by accident, mostly in the car since my Darwin sits upright in the cup holder and I bump the wheel when I pick it up, but usually not by much. Just my experience, though, personal preference and all ;-)
I don't know what changes they made other than the blue screen, but I would like to see the dial have numerous stops and not just one at 8.4 and be more difficult to turn, I find I bump it without noticing. I wish the swivel would either be much stiffer or have several stops for different angles. With tanks it gets floppy...
There needs to be an adapter for tanks that allows the arm to close. Different colors would be nice. A more tactile button, bigger battery, are two more things off the top of my head. The electronics are great and innovative. I like that eVolv makes the changes and doesn't charge more. Provari is coming out with a blue LED but it is going to cost extra. I apologize in advance if they have made any of these improvements. The blinking, I think that was the Darwin performing self diagnostics, wasn't it? It doesn't bother me. It's like anything else, after a while you don't notice it.
DC and Tc are a completely different set of animals and CANNOT be compared side-by-side with single coils. This is because a 1.5Ωs DC is actually two 3Ωs coils wired in parallel and the Regulated Power gets split between the coils. Because they are wired in parallel, they read as LR and the Darwin (and/or ANY device - including a multimeter) has no way of knowing it is a dual coil. So, it reads the LR and Regulates Power based on that reading. Otherwise (all single coils) the features of Darwin DO provide constant watts output - exactly as designed to do. Personally, and while I do occasionally use DC (like EMDCC) on Darwin, I find that because of the two higher Ωs coils design of DCCs, I prefer them on unregulated 6V devices (if you try this, please use correct batts - like AW LifePO4 3V rcr123a and switchable 3V charger - like the Ultrafire WF-138). Darwin, at higher watts settings, can (and will) provide a nice vape on DCs but these coils can take higher voltage than Darwin will give them (because of the LR OHMS reading) and because the power is split between the coils.
As for tanks, I use them on Darwin all the time with no issues. The arm does not need to be closed to conserve battery charge. The LCD screen uses insignificant battery power. If left open, on a full charge, and without being used, it might take a month for the LCD screen to drain a Darwin batt to cut-off. While no device is 100% perfect, and some are certainly more tank friendly than others, ther are ways to close the Darwin arm with a tank. Tanks, by their very design, are not exactly pocket friendly. But, the short Goosenecks get the job done nicely. You might consider even asking them to make one as short as 1/2" or 3/4" flex (a friend made one this size for me and it works great). When I am home, I just leave a tank on Darwin and set the Darwin on its back with the tank/arm at about 130 degree angle and enjoy.
EDIT: as for "bigger battery" - aside from the 26 series batts (BEHEMOTHS), Darwin batts have the longest battery life in vaping. Using LR gear (especially DCs and TCs) draw higher Amps (see the AMPS number on your screen) and higher AMPS draw will use up your battery faster. There really is no reason to use anything with an LR rating on Darwin as you can achieve the same under-load watts/power (expressed as heat in vaping) using higher Ωs gear and just turning up the watts level - this uses lower AMPS draw and will give you longer useable batt charge per cycle.
The FOG tank DOES fit on Darwin and using a 1" 510 to 510 adapter will let the arm close. This tank is longer and thinner and made of metal. It works just fine with Boge 808 style cartos. For some of MY juices, I find that metal changes the flavor (this only on certain juices/ingredients). But, when closed, the FOG is no thicker than the Darwin:
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I don't know what changes they made other than the blue screen, but I would like to see the dial have numerous stops and not just one at 8.4 and be more difficult to turn, I find I bump it without noticing. I wish the swivel would either be much stiffer or have several stops for different angles. With tanks it gets floppy...
There needs to be an adapter for tanks that allows the arm to close. Different colors would be nice. A more tactile button, bigger battery, are two more things off the top of my head. The electronics are great and innovative. I like that eVolv makes the changes and doesn't charge more. Provari is coming out with a blue LED but it is going to cost extra. I apologize in advance if they have made any of these improvements. The blinking, I think that was the Darwin performing self diagnostics, wasn't it? It doesn't bother me. It's like anything else, after a while you don't notice it.
Only thing with a 'click wheel' is that it would either have to be a 360 continuous digital wheel, or a much bigger wheel to get in all the resolution the Darwin allows. I'm not even sure if such a smart wheel exists that would fit in that space (without needing more gals and stuff included on the main-board). It could require quite a bit of changing, redesigning, and maybe even more expensive parts to get it done.
Short term, they could maybe offer a little rubberized metal clip to fit over the wheel. It could hook just inside the top of the screen then snap around the back of the chassis with a gentle push. Set it, pop your clip on...and it's butter-finger proof.
Great ideas though!
The arm on my Darwin is open 95% of the time anyways because I use it always plus I enjoy higher ohm Attys now more then ever, between the 3.5ohm and even my 4.5ohm Attys and using my Vapemate with an empire drip shied I also have a 10ml bottle hooked up to this rig and it is really super, my arm even closes with this set up but still my arm is open dam near all the time, it only close if I stick it in my back jeans pocket where it fits super and better then other mods ;-). I've had well over 200 different PV's now and not to sound like a cheerleader but my Darwin is by far the best out of all of them, by FAR too, these electronics can not be matched to anything previously or currently on the market !!!
plus I enjoy higher ohm Attys now more then ever, between the 3.5ohm and even my 4.5ohm Attys and using my Vapemate with an empire drip shied I also have a 10ml bottle hooked up to this rig and it is really super, my arm even closes with this set up but still my arm is open dam near all the time, it only close if I stick it in my back jeans pocket where it fits super and better then other mods ;-). I've had well over 200 different PV's now and not to sound like a cheerleader but my Darwin is by far the best out of all of them, by FAR too, these electronics can not be matched to anything previously or currently on the market !!!
Okay.........the deal is DONE!!! Oh just one other thing, can I get everyones phone number so you can talk to my wife when she gets home about what a great thing I just did "dead man walking"
"dead man walking"
Okay.........the deal is DONE!!! Oh just one other thing, can I get everyones phone number so you can talk to my wife when she gets home about what a great thing I just did
No you are going about it all wrong!!! First DO NOT tell her wait till package arrives. When it arrives let her get it then explain tell her you just spent $250 on this new toy for yourself. If played right she will become totally ...... stomp off and you will be free to spend much needed time with the Darwin. If you are a master at this like some of us then you will also have the ability to sleep with the Darwin on the couch. AAAAAHHHHHHH Bliss. Happy vapes and welcome to the clan!
Okay.........the deal is DONE!!! Oh just one other thing, can I get everyones phone number so you can talk to my wife when she gets home about what a great thing I just did
SAX, haven't you learned anything here? Do what any red-blooded vaper does when breaking the news of a big vaping purchase to their significant other.....Lie!
I just leave my gf blissfully ignorant about how much things cost ;-) She'd kill me if she knew how much I've spent . . .
@ Sax,
If you where a smart man you would not tell your wife, then go buy her one deadly sexy hot pair of high healed shoes, Extra hot nice ones $$$ then the day your Darwin comes Give her those shoes, then open you Darwin ;-) Moral to the story is you will not only be vaping blissfully but get to see some sexy high heels walking around at the same time, nothing like having you cake and ice cream Sax, Sex, no wait I mean Sax, sorry ;-) A happy wife makes for a happy house when married.
If you where a smart man you would not tell your wife, then go buy her one deadly sexy hot pair of high healed shoes, Extra hot nice ones $$$ then the day your Darwin comes Give her those shoes, then open you Darwin ;-) Moral to the story is you will not only be vaping blissfully but get to see some sexy high heels walking around at the same time, nothing like having you cake and ice cream Sax, Sex, no wait I mean Sax, sorry ;-) A happy wife makes for a happy house when married.
I've learned to phrase my vaping expenses in terms of POCIDB / COCIDB:
Packs/Cartons of Cigarettes I Didn't Buy.
It has a kind of logic that is difficult to argue with.
Packs/Cartons of Cigarettes I Didn't Buy.
It has a kind of logic that is difficult to argue with.
OK, that looks cool... but where to get one? The only place that seems to sell them is Funstore.gr and they are out of stock. ...?
hey cuse, can i hear some of your lies? cuz mine just dont work anymore, lol
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