Gripper Discussion

[meli.]

Cool_Breeze uploaded some pics of innards over on post #62 looks like your black wire is the battery connection.

 

[akphotos]

Thanks meli! You're right.

Off to solder I go

 

[Baditude]

Well, after just 7 weeks use, my V.V. Gripper's three buttons (power on-off, power up, power down) have fallen inside of the casing. I figured it would be the connector or the battery door that would be first to fail. I was pretty careful with the device, knowing that its build and quality of materials were suspect. Live and learn.

The device still falls inside of the 60 day warranty, I opened a ticket so I'll see what the response is from mad vapes. I might be ordering my Mini Provari sooner than I had planned.

 

[Boognish]

Does anyone know where to get a quality non-clicky switch to replace the one on the Gripper? Gonna tear mine apart as soon as I get one of the new Smok Grooves. I may reenforce the 510 connection, screen and buttons, and mod a screw on spring cap in place of the battery door. Or, I may just use the guts in a completely new housing. Either way, I just need a link to somewhere that sells QUALITY switches.

 

[Zurd]

Now using my Gripper for 6 months, still going strong! Is this a record?

 

[txtumbleweed]

Now using my Gripper for 6 months, still going strong! Is this a record?

Nope I'm almost exactly 7 months with mine. I've had a few issues caused by me dropping it so many times but after I glued it real good I haven't had any problems! I have lots of PV;s and the Gripper is the most comfotable 18650 to vape that I have!

 

[VapDrak]

+1
5 months exactly here, daily use and no problems at all

 

[ericska]

4 months +, third month dropped once and sat on it once, case split open, battery door cracked, used packing tape wrapped around, now still going strong!

 

[Koman]

Now using my Gripper for 6 months, still going strong! Is this a record?

Ha ha, probably so!

 

[fourthrok]

I have one VV Gripper going on 7 months...works like a champ. I did reinforce the battery door with a little electrical tape...it peels off and on easy and I can replace it when it gets yukky looking. Matches the black Gripper fine...have to really TRY to see it! My silver VV Gripper is only just a few days short of a month old. It's still a baby. It doesn't seem to have some of the "issues" (510 connector and battery door floppiness) that the older one had from the get go.

 

[txtumbleweed]

Well I should know better than to brag on my pv. The next day I dropped it and broke the door latch. It is still working good with a little tape until I can try and repair it.
It out lasted my MPV and my Zmax.They both have broken wires but I think I can resolder them. I'm very hard on PV's and one reason I have so many. lol My Vamo and Groove are both working good so I'm in no hurry to get the others fixed.

 

[Zurd]

Well I should know better than to brag on my pv. The next day I dropped it and broke the door latch.

Sorry I shouldn't have asked any questions lol

 

[ericska]

Ordered a new case from China eBay ready to modify my broken Gripper, but waited over a month still don't see a postman show up...

 

[trashguy]

Could anyone recommend a protected battery that definatley fits in these?

 

[Rader2146]

Could anyone recommend a protected battery that definatley fits in these?

None, and I wouldn't recommend one even if it would fit. You need an IMR/Hybrid battery.

 

[Baditude]

You need the above AW IMR 18650. AW IMR 18650 2000 mAh


IMR batteries are a safer chemistry battery that don't need protective circuits like the Li-Ion batteries do. The IMR's are also what the variable voltage devices that use boost circuitry need. Do not put a protected batterey in a Smoktech VV Gripper.


http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/warning-rechargeable-batteries-apvs-mods/

 

[stinkbud]

Grumble...My gripper, after many drops and repairs with JB weld has suffered some serious cracks and I think it is beyond repair. I hate ditching anything that physically works. What is the best case that would fit the 18650s that I have three of? I am going to go back in as many threads here to find something for myself, but if anyone can help speed the process with prior knowledge, that would be great too .

 

[trashguy]

thanks , i have an efest IMR 2000 mah in there now.

 

[jakerock]

Just wanted to say thank you to all who put info in this thread!
Dripping a Joye 510 LR atty @ the lowest setting (3v) on the gripper is the best vape I have had so far.
My other mod is a 3.7v Maxi Roughstack.

The gripper is an awesome vape, but the case has such a cheap feel. I concur with the rest of you that it is a damn shame and have been thinking ahead to the day when I will have to move the electronics to a new box.

On that note, if anyone has a vv gripper with a working chip in it (broken case / atty connector / whatever), I would be interested in buying it.

Thanks all!

 

[michliu]

Well, I knew this day would come. After 4 months of babying the battery door, adding a 510 adapter and an Ego cone to stabilize the 510 connector, tolerating the extra umff from the PWM vape, my VV Gripper died tonight. I think it's the electronics, as I've fiddled with the metal connector on the battery door, tried a few different 18650's and no blinking lights, not turning on. It's with a very heavy heart that I will be unsubscribing from this thread, but maybe in a day or two as I'm still in mourning.

If anyone has a suggestion for someone who doesn't even know what a solder looks like, I'm all ears. Barring a fix, if anyone was thinking of building an Altoid mod with the Gripper's internals, I have one to donate to your project. RIP Gripper!