Zeus Arc vs DaVinci IQ – Battle of the Minds

When the DaVinci IQ was first released people were very impressed at the quality of vapor from this small conduction style unit. At the lower end of the temperature spectrum, the IQ does a good job at preserving flavour, but the visibility of the vapor itself is a bit lacking. At the higher end of the spectrum the DaVinci IQ is able to produce some decent clouds, but the device itself tends to get a bit warm to the touch at higher temperatures.

We also noticed that the DaVinci IQ really requires a stir halfway through to maximize your cannabis, when we didn’t stir we found the cannabis closest to the bottom of the chamber were still green and not fully cooked.

The Zeus Arc GTS Hub is a seriously impressive device when it comes to vapor quality. The lowest temperature setting does a great job at producing good flavour while also producing favorable sized clouds. You won’t find yourself skipping passed the lowest temperature in the Zeus Arc, in fact all 3 temperature are perfectly calibrated to provide flavourful and robust vapor. The middle temperature on the Arc does a decent job at providing even more visible vapor without much loss of flavour. Stepping up to temperature setting 3 on the Arc will produce the largest clouds, which can rival the vapor production from units like the Mighty. Users that want massive large and cold clouds usually prefer to use the Zeus Arc GT Water Pipe Adapter in conjunction with a bubbler.

Stirring isn’t a requirement with the Zeus Arc, despite the unit having a built-in stir tool and we found cannabis were evenly cooked after the session.

The vapor quality on both of these units is pretty great, but when it comes to raw performance based on vapor production, the Zeus Arc takes this one with its powerful and potent vapor it offers in such a small chassis.

The DaVinci IQ is a well-made device and that shows from the use of ceramic zirconia in the vapor path and mouthpiece to the inclusion of smart paths and Bluetooth integration. It also includes the haptic feedback feature similar to the Crafty Vaporizer. The unit feels very nice in the hands and even includes 2 mouthpiece styles to suit your preference.

The light grid LED display is a unique way for the IQ to display its temperature cycles and even allows for precise temperature control. However, the display in certain lighting can be a bit difficult to read and leaves us pining for a true LED display rather than a grid of lights.

The other area of concern with the DaVinci IQ is the hinges which are used on the top and bottom doors of the DaVinci IQ. Over time and with constant use there is a chance for these hinges to wear out or even break if the unit is ever dropped. The hinges are definitely the biggest concern in the design of the IQ as we have seen people develop problems over long-term use, however, to increase its chances of longevity you can always use a case where this device can fit in.

The Zeus Arc is also extremely well made, featuring a streamlined look and opting for a top-loading design. Rather than hinges, the Zeus Arc’s medical grade silicone mouthpiece sits snuggly on top without the need for hinges to keep it in place.

The Zeus Arc also features an all-gold vapor path which we think is worth noting. The gold chamber conducts heat quickly passing that heat directly to your cannabis for more efficient extraction. The gold heatsink in the mouthpiece then works to remove the heat before it hits your lips. It works extremely well in practice and gives you the ability to create massive clouds of vapor without the harshness on your throat. If you need to spruce up your device you can get the care package.

Both units include a multi-tool. The DaVinci IQ tool is located beside the vapor path underneath the mouthpiece, while the Zeus Arc’s tool is a bit more accessible as it is magnetically attached to the bottom and ready for whenever you need it.

Both units are extremely well manufactured, but we have to give the slight edge to the Zeus Arc for implementing gold in the vapor path and for the lack of moveable parts, giving it less chance to fail down the road.

The DaVinci IQ is fairly simple to use once you get a hang of all the controls that are available at your fingertips. You can choose to use the device in either Smart Path mode, which allows you to choose 4 temperature ranges, when the device will heat from the low end of the temperature range to the highest throughout the session.

And you can also use the DaVinci IQ in the precision mode which allows you to set the temperature down to the individual degree. Swapping between those modes requires a press of the power button and the up or down temperature selector. The IQ also features a boost mode which can be activated by pressing and holding the power button to ramp up the heat in the chamber. Users sometimes tend to use the Zeus Iceborn in order to get large cold vapors. There is also Bluetooth functionality inside the DaVinci IQ as well, allowing you to customize your smart paths for your session.

If this sounds like a lot and is a bit overwhelming you are certainly not alone, many people get intimidated by too many options and settings, some of which they will never use.

The Zeus Arc is much more straightforward in its application. There is only a single button and three perfectly calibrated temperature settings you can cycle through with just the press of the button, no need to learn fancy button combinations, just set it and forget it. It can’t get much easier than this. It is as easy as operating the LITL 1, the only difference between the two is that LITL 1 has just one preset temperature.

Some people will really appreciate the hassle-free approach that the Zeus Arc takes, it is a much easier unit to learn if you are a newbie and this is why we are giving this section to the Arc. It does what it is supposed to, does it easily, and does it well.

Portability

Battery Life

As we discussed the DaVinci IQ has 2 methods for controlling temperature, Smart Path mode which allows you to choose 1 of 4 temperature ranges to vape within, slowly increasing the temperature over the duration of your session. The precision mode allows you to use the DaVinci IQ with precise temperature control, similar to the popular Arizer Air 2,  setting your units anywhere up to 220 degrees Celsius.

The Zeus Arc has 3 temperature cycles that are expertly calibrated to maximize flavour and vapor production simultaneously. The first temperature cycle is at 205 degrees Celsius, the second is at 215 degrees and the third is at 225 degrees Celsius.

The idea behind the Zeus’ temperatures is that you should be able to get a full session on each one of these temperature settings with a single bowl allowing you to maximize the use of your cannabis.

Also, the third setting at 225 degrees Celsius ensures full extraction of your cannabis to maximize their potential.

So while the Zeus Arc may not allow you to control the precise temperature it gives you an excellent range to work within and provides satisfying vapor with minimal thinking.

However this section goes to the IQ which gives you maximum flexibility through the precision mode.