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Davinci Artiq Review: How Good Can a $60 Cartridge Vape Be? Turns Out, Pretty Damn Good

Davinci’s first cartridge vape is discreet, mellow and as easy to use as it gets.

davinci artiq vape by an ashtray Scott Ulrich

By Scott Ulrich

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As the cannabis market continues to expand, it can feel like the products are getting more convoluted than they need to be. Seeing all the gaudy dab rigs and complicated vape contraptions in a modern headshop is enough to make a person want to stick to good old-fashioned rolling papers. But Davinci’s latest vaporizer, the Artiq, manages to fit some really nice features into a discreet package that’s simple to use and won’t stick out on your coffee table.

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The Davinci Artiq is a rechargeable cartridge vaporizer that fits standard 510 cartridges. There’s no learning curve here whatsoever: You just attach the cartridge, inhale and you’re good to go. But what sets the Artiq apart is its extended airpath which cools the vapor, giving you nice and mellow room-temperature hits that are easier on your lungs. I’ve been testing the Artiq firsthand for the past several weeks. Here’s what I discovered.

Davinci Artiq: What We Think

For those looking for a simple and inconspicuous way to consume cannabis without any fuss, this is the product for you. For starters, it looks more like something you’d plug into your computer than something you’d inhale from, and the cartridges go inside the vape so you’re not broadcasting to the world what it is that you’re smoking. It couldn’t be simpler to use (just inhale) and the haptic feedback vibrates to let you know just how much you’re drawing in. The elongated airpath is said to cool down the vapor by 90 percent, so even after my heaviest sessions, I wasn’t feeling any burn in my lungs or throat. And for the price of $60, you just won’t find a more straightforward and effective vape out there.

Pros

  • Elongated airpath cools down vapor
  • Straightforward and easy to use
  • Discreet design that fully obscures the cartridge
  • Rechargeable 760 mAh battery

Cons

  • The mouthpieces could be easier to replace
  • Slightly larger than comparable vapes

The Artiq is exceedingly simple to use

the davinci artiq vape
The LED light lights up green, yellow or red to indicate battery life. Once you hit 10 percent, the light remains red to let you know it’s due for a charge.
Scott Ulrich

The Artiq only has one button, and you don’t even need to press it to get going. The vape is breath activated, meaning that you can just pick it up and inhale — no preheating required. And don’t let the elongated airpath talk fool you; the hits arrive pretty much instantaneously once you start inhaling.

It does come with the option to preheat though for maximum vapor by clicking the button twice, and three clicks allow you to set it to three different heat modes for vapor density in high, medium and low. One click of the button will show you how much battery remains with its color-coded LED light, and you can carb the vape by holding down the button which will clear any remaining vapor.

Cooler vapor means no burn in your throat

For anything to be vaporized, there needs to be some heat, and in lesser devices that vapor arrives hot and harsh in your throat and lungs. And while the marketing of the Artiq might make one think there’s some elaborate cooling device built in, what that actually looks like is just a longer airpath housed within the vape, allowing the vapor time to cool down before getting to you. Such a rudimentary solution is surprisingly effective though; smoking with the Artiq is mellow and comfortable. Plus, when you start drawing in, the haptic feedback kicks in with a vibrating heartbeat, helping you measure just how much you’re inhaling.

Smart design sets it apart

Most vapes made for cartridges are just glorified batteries that leave the cartridge exposed, leaving them vulnerable to breaking or degrading after sitting in the sun. But by housing the cartridge within the battery and covering it all with an aluminum shell, it protects the cartridge and makes the whole look that much more inconspicuous.

Not to mention, the rechargeable 760 mAh battery with the USB-C cable really helps make this thing feel like it was built to last. The battery only takes an hour to charge, and one charge should be good for about 500 draws.

the davinci artiq vape and included accessories
The Artiq comes with a replaceable mouthpiece, a USB-C charging cable, cleaning supplies, replacement gaskets, some stickers and an owner’s manual.
Scott Ulrich

Davinci Artiq: Alternatives

While the Artiq stands out in its category, cartridge vapes aren’t for everyone. For many people, it doesn’t get better than smoking good old-fashioned dry herb. If that sounds like you, there’s simply no beating the Pax Plus if you’re willing to shell out the $250, or the G Pen Dash is another great alternative for a more reasonable $70. But if you like the idea of cartridges and want something equally simple, the Pax Era Pro is another great option that’s a good bit smaller, and $10 less expensive than the Artiq.

Pros

  • Elongated airpath cools down vapor
  • Straightforward and easy to use
  • Discreet design that fully obscures the cartridge
  • Rechargeable 760 mAh battery

Cons

  • The mouthpieces could be easier to replace
  • Slightly larger than comparable vapes

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