Anyone still having V2/V1 Mechanical Switch problems?

[Ultimist]

I sent in both my V2 and V1 with mechanical switch a couple months ago, because I was having major issues with the switches (they were firing, maybe 10% of the time).

Now they're going back to the same old behavior. I'm getting very irritated. I can't afford a V3 right now.

So, have the V1/V2 mechanical switch problems ever been truly resolved, or is this just an ongoing thing that will never be appropriately addressed by PS?

 

[Synthnadz]

I sent in both my V2 and V1 with mechanical switch a couple months ago, because I was having major issues with the switches (they were firing, maybe 10% of the time).

Now they're going back to the same old behavior. I'm getting very irritated. I can't afford a V3 right now.

So, have the V1/V2 mechanical switch problems ever been truly resolved, or is this just an ongoing thing that will never be appropriately addressed by PS?

The only resolution is to painstakingly perform tedious, exhausting maintenance rituals every few days to keep the arsing off of the ring and posts.

...and yes - this is more than likely destined to be an 'ongoing thing that will never be appropriately resolved by PS'.

:shrug:

...D

 

[bearscreek]

Yep, that pretty much sums it up, although Syn may have exaggerated the maintenance ritual just a bit. Nice description, though.

 

[Casey@PS]

Steve's response to this at pure-smokers.com:

It comes down to maintenance really on the V1/V2 mechanical switches. The maintenance on both the devices is a bit more tricky than the V3, but cleaning the disk & contact posts weekly with a touch of Noalox will keep the switch from misfiring.

Are you cleaning & maintaining it?

 

[wiscguy]

Find a SB on the classifieds. After months of trying to keep my V2 working I went back to my SB and have zero problems with zero maintenance.

I know its not what you want to hear, but unless you deal with the crap weekly and buy a product that should come with it (since you need it for the V2 to work properly) youre better off with a different device.

Maybe you could give it to those spring cleaning people and they can take it out with the rest of the trash.

.....That wasnt to harsh was it? ...No.....just right.

 

[nawcho]

pure evil

 

[MicciMan]

Why buy a V3 if V1 and V2 have failed you?

Purchasing a different PV solved my Protege switch problems. Protege is now the backup device, which I haven't had to use since receiving this device that Just Works, w/o constant (any?) maintenance.

 

[Synthnadz]

You mean the solution to the problems with every model wasn't resolved by moving the troops to a self-hosted forum? I thought that would fix it all!

(Sarcasm, yes.)

 

[harpo]

You mean the solution to the problems with every model wasn't resolved by moving the troops to a self-hosted forum? I thought that would fix it all!

(Sarcasm, yes.)

Isn't this the truth. He (Steve) basically abandoned ECF and washed his hands of coming up with a permanent fix for the prior versions. I noticed whenever someone post something about switch issues he always blames the user for not performing maintenance. Like turning the switch a quarter turn every 4 or 5 drags. Not maintenance IMO, more like a defect.

 

[Synthnadz]

...a defect that can be partially and temporarily compensated for with lots of user elbow grease. Poor form, pure nonsense. I've wasted more than $500 on PS products, all of which thoroughly disappointed. Good riddance. =]

 

[doots]

I gave up on the V2 after many problems.. No more PS products for me either. There are too many good mods out there.

 

[bearscreek]

I'm not disagreeing with what you guys are saying. In fact, I'm cracking up, but I gotta just throw this in there for Steve's sake. In my opinion, many of PS's switch problems, at least related to the Prodigy, are due to the fact that they were trying really hard to give the customers a 5V device (and probably also to have a side button), which is what many seemed to want. I know I did. It's harder to make a 5V device. What has happened with the V3 is PS had to scrap the 5V and jump on the bandwagon with most everybody else and do the easy 6V, and now it looks like they have a switch without so many problems. That's just my take on it.

 

[VapingMattCA]

Perhaps there is a solution to this. Maybe Steve could be talked into sending those people who open tickets with switch issues an "old" style tact switch with resistor. Do this once free of charge and after that charge for replacements. I have read that the tact switches tend to fail, but its better to have a switch that works perfect for a time than one that doesn't hardly work at all. I have a V2 passthrough and that has a tact switch and it has worked flawlessly! Only clean the adapter and metal post once a week with Brasso. I always try a new atomizer on my protege in case its defective it won't screw up my V2 tact switch.

I think one of the main problems with the mechanical switches is the lack of precison machining. The old style posts with the flatten cut surface work better than the totally round ones since the washer can more fully contact the posts. Once I put in my orig posts into the replacement switch I have not had any misfires or problems. If the plastic switch housing were drilled so that the posts wouldn't move around except with pliers the flat side would never move with normal use. On the replacement switch I have on my Protege, the post facing the adapter(I am talking about the part of the post that the washer contacts) seems to be a little higher than the post facing the battery. Ideally they should be level so that the washer makes complete contact with the posts. I think with some attention to better machining and minor design changes, the side mounted switch could be ideal to those not wanting a bottom switch device.

I have ordered a V3 so hoping it is as good as everyone says it is and know I will have to get used to not having the side mounted switch.

 

[spivey]

You really can't hold it against anyone that feels the frustration so many of us have experienced with the whole switch issue, and feeling a little more than abandoned at the solutions provided to us by PS. I know when I think about all the attys I threw out that might have been good, and all the juice wasted in getting my Protege and V2 to work I feel a little more than sour.

You also can't blame PS for running away from the side-mounted mechanical switch design; from a business perspective it would have been suicide to keep building mods around it.

But - I did purchase a BB while waiting for the switch upgrades to arrive. And while yes it does work 100% of the time and doesn't require weekly maintenance, it doesn't give the same hit as the Protege. I've also always preferred the Protege's size to my BB (it's noticeably smaller).

I bit the bullet and bought a V3, and so far have had great success with it. I can't recommend it to someone that has lived through "PS public mechanical switch R&D" period; only because it's up to you if you want to take another chance with them. I do plan on posting a review after I've used this for about month since that's when my first Protege started acting up.

With that being said - one step that PS could take to try and make this up to us is if you ever submitted a ticket or email about your V1, V2, or Protege switch you are now entitled a discount on the V3, or their newer iCon* coming out soon.

*I was shocked to see this as the new device name, considering the feelings I mentioned in my first paragraph.

 

[bearscreek]

With that being said - one step that PS could take to try and make this up to us is if you ever submitted a ticket or email about your V1, V2, or Protege switch you are now entitled a discount on the V3, or their newer iCon* coming out soon.

No, but they will sell you a redesigned switch for roughly $30 shipped. They'll also sell you extra titanium rings in case you clean yours down to nothing. I actually keep trying to make myself order 1 or 2 of those, but my finger stops just short of a mouse click. It's killing me to pay maybe $6 to ship a $4 item that will fit in a little white envelope. I do understand how much easier it is to ship everything Priority or flat-rate Priority or whatever, but I still don't like it for such small items.

 

[spivey]

No, but they will sell you a redesigned switch for roughly $30 shipped. They'll also sell you extra titanium rings in case you clean yours down to nothing. I actually keep trying to make myself order 1 or 2 of those, but my finger stops just short of a mouse click. It's killing me to pay maybe $6 to ship a $4 item that will fit in a little white envelope. I do understand how much easier it is to ship everything Priority or flat-rate Priority or whatever, but I still don't like it for such small items.

I've always looked at those parts as stuff for the hobbyists. I just need something that works. Besides if I ever need another washer I have a small pipe cutter and several hardware stores in the area. Have you checked those places out to see if they have any washers that will fit?

 

[bearscreek]

Have you checked those places out to see if they have any washers that will fit?

No, I really haven't. It's not a huge deal to me. Every now and then, though, I think about having a spare and/or a copper ring for 6V, but that's dumb because I know I don't want 6V.

It's kinda funny. Quite a while ago, someone on the other forum was questioning when the replacement discs would be in and I made the comment that she really shouldn't be too concerned, since the V2 has a lifetime warranty. Someone else came back with a comment that if you're one of those who is sanding the disc to clean it you might want some spares. Well, point taken, but if you have to sand the grunge off in order for it to work...

 

[spivey]

Isn't the disc considered a consumable part and not covered under the warranty? I've never asked; just assumed so hoping to be pleasantly surprised on day.

 

[bearscreek]

I really don't see it that way, but you're probably right. Liquid, batteries, atomizers and carts are consumables to me. Discs, screws and springs are not. Cross-threading is often/usually user error, though.

 

[wiscguy]

First taking the bottom locking button design from someone else and now the "i" from Apple!?

How about a little less copying a little more innovation/your own imagination.

Charter Cable is even better than what I received from Puresmoker! (If you dont know that company.....well....they are not what you call a "reputable" service provider).

Hopefully a new member will see our issues and stay away from here.

I dont think ive ever been this displeased with a "company."