Box-shape VV recommendations

[Dirgon]

18650 preferable since I have 6 of them floating around.

I own a now broken VV Gripper, but they're so crappy that I don't want to replace it

I also own an altoids tin from smartvapes but it's too big and a 14500 box from madvapes but it's just too cheap feeling. Around the size of the VV gripper but with a solid button.

I really can't find anything, except ones people make themselves out of battery boxes, and I want something more akin to the VV gripper but without the fragility.

Any recommendations?

 

[the_vape_nerd]

what about the itaste mvp from innokin? it doesn't have removable batteries and charges like a cell phone

but the battery is reported to be 2600 mah

they are reportedly quite durable and are not that expensive for what you get

Innokin iTaste MVP - Avid Vaper

 

[mostlyclassics]

Are you absolutely married to the box form-factor, Dirgon? If not, you could get a Lavatube or a Vamo for not very much money, about the same as what you spent on the Gripper, and both use 18650s.

 

[Caridwen]

what about the itaste mvp from innokin? it doesn't have removable batteries and charges like a cell phone

but the battery is reported to be 2600 mah

they are reportedly quite durable and are not that expensive for what you get

Innokin iTaste MVP - Avid Vaper

Did you get your new one yet?

 

[Caridwen]

18650 preferable since I have 6 of them floating around.

I own a now broken VV Gripper, but they're so crappy that I don't want to replace it

I also own an altoids tin from smartvapes but it's too big and a 14500 box from madvapes but it's just too cheap feeling. Around the size of the VV gripper but with a solid button.

I really can't find anything, except ones people make themselves out of battery boxes, and I want something more akin to the VV gripper but without the fragility.

Any recommendations?

I do like the iTaste MVP. Depends on how much you want to spend. There's the VV Reo.

Mine isn't VV but my reo is 2 years old. No messing with tanks.

 

[Dirgon]

Are you absolutely married to the box form-factor, Dirgon? If not, you could get a Lavatube or a Vamo for not very much money, about the same as what you spent on the Gripper, and both use 18650s.

I own a lavatube, and I really really don't like the tube shape.

I fell back to my altoids tin for now. I love it, but it's just too bloody large (and I really need to rip the guts out and put them in a new tin) so I was really excited about the VV gripper, but I'm not overpaying for another one that's just going to fall apart.

The innokin iTaste looks nice, but I have enough devices I have to plug in every night. Removable batteries are pretty much a must.

It's also pretty expensive to have no warranty on it. I don't feel like rolling the dice and dropping $80 on something that may or may not last me a decent length of time.

I guess since I can't really find anything I'm going to pick up an 801 head from madvapes and stick my VV gripper's guts in a small altoids tin. I bought some 18650 battery holders off ebay a few months ago to do just that but I've since lost them....

I'm a terrible solderer, but I've got all the equipment. Just wanted to buy something nice and shiny if I could find one. :\

 

[fourthrok]

Ah well...If you are determined to stick to the 18650 I can understand that. My VV Gripper is about 5 months old and is doing excellent, but maybe it's the luck of the draw. I did put a bit of electrical tape on the battery door to be sure it stays shut so I don't bust it my mistake. The tape peels off to change batteries easily, and can be re-stuck over and over. Easy enough to replace when it wears out...and it's nearly invisible on the black Gripper. But that was my solution. My battery door isn't broke...the tape is my insurance policy.

If you were willing to go for a different sized battery, the Ovale (Segelei) V8 is a great little box mod on the order of the VV Gripper, but much more sturdy. The 510 connection on top is a metal platform and doesn't wiggle. The battery door is more secure (not made like the Gripper's on the bottom..the door to the V8 is on the back). It reads ohms and has a voltage meter. VV from 3v to 6v, but like the Gripper it has PWM so you set it lower than you would lesser VV devices. It's very nice. But it takes 2 18350 batteries or 2 16340 batteries (35mm button top) in parallel. It vapes just like the Gripper, actually.

I am worn out and tired of tube mods myself and have embraced the box like mod wholeheartedly. I could have spent a chunk of change this month due to a small windfall I got...but after looking around and thinking for a couple of weeks I decided to stick with the Gripper and the V8s I have. I looked at the MVP but didn't like the proprietary non-removable battery thing. And I don't need a power pack because I already have a 10,000 mAh Fost Power Pack. So ....here I am.

 

[Baditude]

If you were willing to go for a different sized battery, the Ovale (Segelei) V8 is a great little box mod on the order of the VV Gripper, but much more sturdy. The 510 connection on top is a metal platform and doesn't wiggle. The battery door is more secure (not made like the Gripper's on the bottom..the door to the V8 is on the back). It reads ohms and has a voltage meter. VV from 3v to 6v, but like the Gripper it has PWM so you set it lower than you would lesser VV devices. It's very nice. But it takes 2 18350 batteries or 2 16340 batteries (35mm button top) in parallel. It vapes just like the Gripper, actually.

I looked at the MVP but didn't like the proprietary non-removable battery thing. And I don't need a power pack because I already have a 10,000 mAh Fost Power Pack. So ....here I am.

I had a Smoktech VV Gripper for 7 weeks, then the three front panel buttons all fell into the body. Luckily it was still 1 week shy of fulfilling its 60 day warranty, so Madvapes replaced it with a new one. However, I really don't trust this model for long term use, and I went looking for a similar but more durable gripper box mod.

I also looked at the MVP, but like Fourthrok said, but I didn't care for the idea of the internal non-removable proprietary battery.

I also got the Ovale (Segelei) V8. It is a much, much better constructed mod than the Gripper. The dual 18350 batteries seem to last as long as the 18650 battery in the Gripper did. The only negative I have of this device are the coil springs used in the battery compartment. It's difficult to replace the batteries without using a tool (credit card) to press these springs down to insert the batteries.

Edit: I felt the need to add this - the Ovale V8 is the mod that the Smoktech VV Gripper should have been.

 

[michliu]

I have the VV Gripper, the Ovale V8, and the MVP. I love the box mod form factor as well, but I haven't found a perfect one yet. The VV Gripper has that wobbly 510 connector and a crappy battery door. While the Ovale is a better construction, the fact that it can't use the many flat top 18350's (it needs a button top) I have for my tube mods and the 3 minutes it takes to swap out the batteries due to really awful battery springs means it stay a backup. The MVP is a really nice unit. But I hear you on the non-replaceable battery, I have a boxful of 18650's and 18350's that I would like to keep using. The MVP is my short business trip PV, since it lasts a couple of days on a charge and I always have a micro usb cable with me to charge my phone.

If a sturdier VV Gripper with VW ever comes out, I'll be first in line to get one.

 

[fourthrok]

I
The only negative I have of this device are the coil springs used in the battery compartment. It's difficult to replace the batteries without using a tool (credit card) to press these springs down to insert the batteries.

Edit: I felt the need to add this - the Ovale V8 is the mod that the Smoktech VV Gripper should have been.

I have seen some mention about the trouble getting the batteries in the V8...but honestly (and not to belabor the point) I don't really have that much trouble...but it does take a little bit of finessing. It's a WHOLE lot easier with the 16340s! Just try to use batteries that are button top but no longer than 35mm. I did have to use a credit card yesterday...but I was frazzled and ticked off because I had 3 cartos in a row that didn't act right out of the box, and my temper was edgy, so I wasn't displaying the "finesse" I usually do with putting the batteries in! hahaha!

I agree that the V8 is a vast improvement over the Gripper's design EXCEPT...I wish the V8 had a top horn button, and I wish it had a screen like the Gripper's.

 

[Baditude]

If a sturdier VV Gripper with VW ever comes out, I'll be first in line to get one.

Then keep an eye out for the soon to be released Smoktech Groove. Variable wattage/voltage gripper box mod in a slimmer format, and also with a proprietary, built-in battery. Instead of $30 though, it likely will be in the $80 range.

The problem I have with the proprietary built-in batteries is that there is finite life expectancy of these batteries, and since there is no way to replace it, the entire mod needs to be discarded. It's no better than an eGo battery in that respect.

 

[fourthrok]

The problem I have with the proprietary built-in batteries is that there is finite life expectancy of these batteries, and since there is no way to replace it, the entire mod needs to be discarded. It's no better than an eGo battery in that respect.

That's the deal breaker for me too....I don't need to go down that road again. Been there. Also that Groove is one BIG device! I have nice sized hands for a woman, but that thing looks like it'd hurt to hold, after awhile! It's so wide and it doesn't have the gentle round curves of the Gripper or V8. I have arthritis, and predict I'd end up not using the Groove much due to it hurting my hands.

If I was going to design a box-style mod...I'd make it out of whatever metal it is that eGos and such use with a rubberized or maybe a more durable, scratch resistant finish...shaped more or less like the Gripper and V8 with the finger grips, it'd have a top horn button like the Gripper, a battery door more like the V8 and a OLED screen like the Gripper. Also...whatever battery system used would be made so putting in and taking out batteries would be easy (and it'd use longer lasting batteries...not the 14500s and the like) but secure and not inclined to break. Plus it'd be designed to take either button top or flat top. Also...maybe a USB port for an opton to use it as a passthrough if desired?

 

[chuckie]

Hard to believe nobody has come out with a small simple vv metal box with replaceable batts.I think the problem is if anybody made one there would be no need to keep buying these plastic pieces of junk over and over again.I'm like you,using my altoids box until something smaller but better comes along.If you find what you're looking for please post or pm me..thanks

 

[michliu]

Then keep an eye out the the soon to be released Smoktech Groove. Variable wattage/voltage gripper box mod in a slimmer format, and also with a proprietary, built-in battery. Instead of $30 though, it likely will be in the $80 range.

The problem I have with the proprietary built-in batteries is that there is finite life expectancy of these batteries, and since there is no way to replace it, the entire mod needs to be discarded. It's no better than an eGo battery in that respect.

I have been watching the developments on the Groove with keen interest. I'm not as worried about the battery life, since I've been moving on to a new PV well before battery life becomes an issue. The only batteries I've ever killed are the crappy Blu batteries I started vaping with. The price point is another concern. I haven't paid more than $45 for any PV except the Lavatube I have which sits in my vape bag unloved. But I'm coming off of $24 for a China GG and $30 for 2 Ovales, so expecting a $45 Groove is probably too much to hope for while they are new.

 

[fourthrok]

I have been watching the developments on the Groove with keen interest. I'm not as worried about the battery life, since I've been moving on to a new PV well before battery life becomes an issue. The only batteries I've ever killed are the crappy Blu batteries I started vaping with. The price point is another concern. I haven't paid more than $45 for any PV except the Lavatube I have which sits in my vape bag unloved. But I'm coming off of $24 for a China GG and $30 for 2 Ovales, so expecting a $45 Groove is probably too much to hope for while they are new.

Not gonna happen: i.e. lower price on the Groove. At least not for awhile. They are out now (I've seen a few vendors who have them..or are taking pre-orders) and they seem to range in the $80 price range. Too rich for my blood.

They apparently have the same plastic and finish as the shiny V8. That's pretty cool...but fingerprint magnets. But they are BIG.

 

[lynch]

wait for the Tmax http://.........blogspot.com/2013/03/changes-sigelei-tmax-box-mod.html

 

[serenity21899]

Although not on the cheap end of the spectrum, Reo Grand has the following dimensions:

Height: 3-3/4"
Width: 1-11/16"
Depth: 15/16"

and takes the 18650 battery. They are metal, mechanical mods, well built in the US. It is a bottom feeder, which means there is a 6ml bottle in it that feeds up through a carto, atty, or RBA. There are vv versions, but they take smaller batteries.

reosmods.com

 

[Baditude]

The T-max looks to be an improvement in all the previous VV box mods to date, if it lives up to expectations. Metal box mod, with variable voltage AND variable wattage. Uses an 18650 battery which should last most folks an entire day. Looks like it will use a single button for firing and mode selection like a Provari. Not sure if it has ohm meter or voltage meter. Not heard a definite price range for this, either.

 

[niczgreat]

Itaste Mvp
The negative is the positive.

Yes it has an integrated battery. That battery lasted me 2 1/2 days on a charge.
Every night I charge it and on a weak charger it takes around 1 1/2 hours to charge. From Empty it took 3 1/2 Hours to charge. While Charging I vape with my Sigelei Zmax but I concievably could just charge it before I go to sleep.

Lithium Ion Battery technology, from my experience if you are only draining the battery by 40% lithium Ion will go for over 600 charges.
So this should last a year to 2 years. Other info I've gleaned from the Internet is that over time they will lose as much as 20%. Since my goal for the unit is to comfortably have it vape for 24 hours if it loses 20% I'll still be way over the time period that I need.

The advantage is that because it has such a long battery life and also I can re-charge it on the run with any Micro Usb charger, this is the first Vaping Unit where I haven't had to carry an extra battery.

It's shorter than the tube mods.
Also the newest model will accept 510 and True Ego clearo/carto like the T3 or the Evod.

Finally, this unit has a nice finish, feels very solid, is super easy to operate, and has a more polished (Elegant Look) than other box mods. At the $55.00 - $65.00 it's a steal.

Some people like simplicity and not having to deal with changing batteries, a million menus, the Itaste MVP is the perfect unit for someone who just wants to plug in a unit and vape. I recommend it very highly to New Vapors. The intimidation factor is very low.

The drawback on the unit is that there is no long term data on it's reliability. But at $65.00 if it lasts 6 month to 1 year, I'll be happy.

 

[brassmonkey]

if your gonna go box make your own. its easier than you think. and cheaper