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I love mine. It is my go to daily driver 99% of the time. With that said, I am on my 3rd one. Battery door cracks really easily, even if you don't drop it. It is just a weak point on the mod. For the price though, I get a few months out of it before the batt door goes to poop, so it is worth the $$. You will enjoy it! Hits like a freight train!
I love my VV Gripper! I have one that is about 6 months old. The battery door is weak, but I used a bit of electrical tape to secure it shut and "protect" it from flopping and getting busted. It matches the black finish well and is easy to reuse over and over..or replace. No troubles there. The 510 connection seems a little wobbly, but it's okay. I use 6ml. tanks...some are quite heavy...and while, if I wave the Gripper around, I can feel the wobble a bit, so far so good. Liked the first one so much I got a second one earlier this month in silver. The new one seems to have a more sturdy battery door and the 510 connection doesn't wiggle at all.
I love the way the VV Grippers hits. Amazing! I won't say "hits like a freight train" (although it does) because I don't want @Darkhood to have a (f)it. It practically vapes itself! lol! The VV Gripper and the Ovale V8 are about the ONLY APVs I'm using now. Every day...all day. The ohm checker is a winner, and I appreciate knowing how much battery life is left on the charge. Yes..there are fancier and more expensive APVs out there, but I wonder if most are really any "better". I have a friend with a few ProVaris and he loves them...but says that the VV Gripper is the only thing he's vaped that compares in hit quality. YMMV. But I'm a believer.
I love the way the VV Grippers hits. Amazing! I won't say "hits like a freight train" (although it does) because I don't want @Darkhood to have a (f)it. It practically vapes itself! lol! The VV Gripper and the Ovale V8 are about the ONLY APVs I'm using now. Every day...all day. The ohm checker is a winner, and I appreciate knowing how much battery life is left on the charge. Yes..there are fancier and more expensive APVs out there, but I wonder if most are really any "better". I have a friend with a few ProVaris and he loves them...but says that the VV Gripper is the only thing he's vaped that compares in hit quality. YMMV. But I'm a believer.
I've been using a VV Gripper for about a month, bought it because of the $40.00 price from MV.
First one I received had to go back for replacement, could never get it to turn on - five clicks, slow, medium or fast, nothing worked. The display would flash when the battery made initial contact with the door, but never anything after that. MV replaced it promptly with no problems.
Second one, the one I have now, has worked quite well, no problems to report other than two occasions where the problem from the first gripper seemed to be happening again. I managed to get it to turn on both times, and have found that I can prevent this from happening by leaving it standing upright whenever I leave it in the off-mode for an extended period, usually overnight. Doesn't make any sense, I know, but leaving it laying on its side seemed to make this occur, again I can't explain this.
Battery door has not been a problem so far (knock on wood). If/when it does break, I plan on putting the electronics in a new box, and keep on keeping on.
I usually leave my gripper at home and use my MV VV box mod when I'm out and about, I built it last February, use it constantly through the day at work, and its still going strong - it truly has been a great value for the money.
First one I received had to go back for replacement, could never get it to turn on - five clicks, slow, medium or fast, nothing worked. The display would flash when the battery made initial contact with the door, but never anything after that. MV replaced it promptly with no problems.
Second one, the one I have now, has worked quite well, no problems to report other than two occasions where the problem from the first gripper seemed to be happening again. I managed to get it to turn on both times, and have found that I can prevent this from happening by leaving it standing upright whenever I leave it in the off-mode for an extended period, usually overnight. Doesn't make any sense, I know, but leaving it laying on its side seemed to make this occur, again I can't explain this.
Battery door has not been a problem so far (knock on wood). If/when it does break, I plan on putting the electronics in a new box, and keep on keeping on.
I usually leave my gripper at home and use my MV VV box mod when I'm out and about, I built it last February, use it constantly through the day at work, and its still going strong - it truly has been a great value for the money.
What is the longest battery I can use? I noticed there are two sizes depending on ohms.
You want a 18650 IMR battery...preferably flat top. You can use button top but be SURE the total height including the button is no more than 65mm. Some of the Ultrafires and Trustfires are actually longer than the 65mm they are supposed to be. I've managed to use an EH 2000 mAh with button top that was just shy of 67mm..but it stresses the battery door. Works okay taped shut...but I don't think I'll try using it in the VVG again.
Just came back to add....I just put that EH 2000 66+mm button top in my new silver VV Gripper...the one I just got this month. It fits! No strain that I can tell. Maybe they really did revise the model a bit...better battery door, better 510 connector and a little more leeway on battery length?
Will this battery work OK?
1 PC IMR 18650 Li MN Battery High Drain Button Top Rechargeable 3 7V 2000mAh | eBay
I hope so, I already bought 2.
1 PC IMR 18650 Li MN Battery High Drain Button Top Rechargeable 3 7V 2000mAh | eBay
I hope so, I already bought 2.
Hey hvac,
That battery looks very similar to some I've seen at various vaping sites, but I can't tell you with 100% certainty that it will work, as fourthrok said, depends on the length/dimensions of the battery. I use the button-top EH IMR 18650 batteries that MV has for sale.
Forgot to add to my earlier post, no problems on my gripper with the 510 connector, its on pretty solid, though as I tend to stick with cartos, I don't put much pressure on the connector.
That battery looks very similar to some I've seen at various vaping sites, but I can't tell you with 100% certainty that it will work, as fourthrok said, depends on the length/dimensions of the battery. I use the button-top EH IMR 18650 batteries that MV has for sale.
Forgot to add to my earlier post, no problems on my gripper with the 510 connector, its on pretty solid, though as I tend to stick with cartos, I don't put much pressure on the connector.
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Well, provided the VVG you are getting is the same as my silver one...it should. That type eFest battery is a good battery by all reports. I've had good luck with them. I looked on a vendor's page at the same battery and apparently it's 66.5mm long...same as my EH battery I put in my silver VVG. So I guess it'd fit? Efest IMR 2000mAh 3.7v 18650 Battery If you already bought that battery I think you should be okay. If you haven't yet...I'd still say going for a flat top IMR would be better. The VVG already has protection built into it so the IMRs are fine and a bit shorter than protected batteries.
I have the Smoktech VV Gripper. I paid $50 for the original one if I remember. They are now being sold for $30. The first one lasted for 7 weeks when the front three buttons collapsed into the body. It still had a week to go on the 60 day warranty, so the vendor exchanged it for a new one.
I bought this originally because I wanted a smaller and lighter mod than my full size Provari for use outside my home, and couldn't justify a Mini Provari at the time because of cost. I'm not a fan of the eGo batteries because of their extreme length once you put a cartotank and drip tip on them, especially if used while driving in the car. I did consider the L Rider Robust, but came to the conclusion that it's 14500 battery wouldn't be pratical for variable voltage.
The first Gripper had a slightly wobbly top connector from the very beginning. I use 2.0 ml IBTanked cartotanks on all my mods and didn't notice any issues of them on the Gripper. The replacement unit's connector seems completely solid. I was already aware of the weakly constructed battery door from reviews before I bought it, so I was always focused to handle it with kid gloves.
It hits harder than it's user-set voltage compared to my Provari, so I compensate by subtracting 0.5 - 1.0 volts automatically from what I would use on the Provari. I'm using a button top AW IMR 18650 battery that lasts me all day if it is the only mod I'm using.
I really love the form factor of this mod. It's extremely comfortable to use in the hand because of its size and shape, the rubberized feel of its finish, and being so light weight. It's not much bigger than a pack of analogs, so it fits easily in most front shirt or side coat pockets. It's corners and edges are softly rounded, not square.
The top fire button appears to be a natural position for it, and I use either my thumb or index finger to fire it, depending on how I'm holding it. The button is clicky, and if not pressed straight down, it will fail to activate. It can be shut on or off with 5 rapid presses of the larger of the three front buttons. Pressing this button and holding it causes the LED display to read the resistance and then the voltage.
My only beef is the cheapness of its parts and construction. It's really a shame, I would have paid twice the price for this if it was anywhere close to the construction of my Provari. Unfortunately, Smoktech doesn't seem to "get it" as it looks like the new Groove has the same cheap constructon of the VV Gripper.
I bought this originally because I wanted a smaller and lighter mod than my full size Provari for use outside my home, and couldn't justify a Mini Provari at the time because of cost. I'm not a fan of the eGo batteries because of their extreme length once you put a cartotank and drip tip on them, especially if used while driving in the car. I did consider the L Rider Robust, but came to the conclusion that it's 14500 battery wouldn't be pratical for variable voltage.
The first Gripper had a slightly wobbly top connector from the very beginning. I use 2.0 ml IBTanked cartotanks on all my mods and didn't notice any issues of them on the Gripper. The replacement unit's connector seems completely solid. I was already aware of the weakly constructed battery door from reviews before I bought it, so I was always focused to handle it with kid gloves.
It hits harder than it's user-set voltage compared to my Provari, so I compensate by subtracting 0.5 - 1.0 volts automatically from what I would use on the Provari. I'm using a button top AW IMR 18650 battery that lasts me all day if it is the only mod I'm using.
I really love the form factor of this mod. It's extremely comfortable to use in the hand because of its size and shape, the rubberized feel of its finish, and being so light weight. It's not much bigger than a pack of analogs, so it fits easily in most front shirt or side coat pockets. It's corners and edges are softly rounded, not square.
The top fire button appears to be a natural position for it, and I use either my thumb or index finger to fire it, depending on how I'm holding it. The button is clicky, and if not pressed straight down, it will fail to activate. It can be shut on or off with 5 rapid presses of the larger of the three front buttons. Pressing this button and holding it causes the LED display to read the resistance and then the voltage.
My only beef is the cheapness of its parts and construction. It's really a shame, I would have paid twice the price for this if it was anywhere close to the construction of my Provari. Unfortunately, Smoktech doesn't seem to "get it" as it looks like the new Groove has the same cheap constructon of the VV Gripper.
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VV Gripper fan here! Got three of 'em that I take everywhere. Have yet to have any issues with da batt door; hmmm, that's after over six months using 'em! And yes, I have many more expensive VV PVs...
I had a VV gripper and gave up on it not too long after I bought it. The battery door breaks way too easily, and the 510 connection came out too easily too. It's in a junk door until I feel like throwing it away. Now that variable wattage has come down in price so much, I don't see the need for a strictly VV only device. I paid $59 for my VAMO in my local vape shop, but I know they can be had for around $40 online. There are quite a few other VV or VV/VW devices out there pretty cheap too, made to a MUCH higher standard than the gripper. But if you're just looking at it as something you'll replace every couple or few months, then go ahead. Even though it had so many issues, it still vaped. Was just a pain in the you-know-what as it was impossible to attach devices to a 510 connector that was no longer staying in place, and having to hold or tape the battery door closed. Metal is your friend with e-cigs, that's my new opinion 
I had a VV gripper and gave up on it not too long after I bought it. The battery door breaks way too easily, and the 510 connection came out too easily too. It's in a junk door until I feel like throwing it away. Now that variable wattage has come down in price so much, I don't see the need for a strictly VV only device. I paid $59 for my VAMO in my local vape shop, but I know they can be had for around $40 online. There are quite a few other VV or VV/VW devices out there pretty cheap too, made to a MUCH higher standard than the gripper. But if you're just looking at it as something you'll replace every couple or few months, then go ahead. Even though it had so many issues, it still vaped. Was just a pain in the you-know-what as it was impossible to attach devices to a 510 connector that was no longer staying in place, and having to hold or tape the battery door closed. Metal is your friend with e-cigs, that's my new opinion
Maybe that's the way it used to be last year. The ones that I've gotten are molded plastic, yes. But with a bit of awareness and care they are plenty sturdy. The newest one doesn't have a weak battery door at all, and the 510 connection is solid as can be.
I really love my VV Grippers!! I wouldn't have bought a second one if I didn't! I have other APVs in various metals that cost more...but the VVG is my go-to every day vape the vast majority of the time.
[EDIT] oh...and the Ovale V8. Yet another not-worth-bothering-with plastic mod that is PHENOMENAL
I just received it in the mail, got it in one day from Madvapes. I went over the construction and it appears to be well put together, I was expecting cheaper construction. I will have to wait for the battery and charger, MV never has the 18650s in stock so I went ahead and got 2 batteries and a charger from Ebay. I probably should have gone to their retail store about 1/2 hour away, they may have had it all in stock, but it would have cost me more in gas than the $2.99 shipping. Their prices are higher at the retail store plus I had another 10% off they gave me in an email.
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I am excited to have one of these on its way to me...
My only other mod is a Maxi Roughstack, so I have a bunch of protected Ultrafire 18650's around.
I know that the recommended batts for this are the IMR's, but I am wondering if it is an impossibility to use the batts that I already have?
Thanks for any information...
My only other mod is a Maxi Roughstack, so I have a bunch of protected Ultrafire 18650's around.
I know that the recommended batts for this are the IMR's, but I am wondering if it is an impossibility to use the batts that I already have?
Thanks for any information...
Another vv gripper lover here Mine is 1 month old today and has been my favorite device since the day I got it. Really wish it were made stronger, as I'm scared to death to even look at it the wrong way!
Mine is 1 month old today and has been my favorite device since the day I got it. Really wish it were made stronger, as I'm scared to death to even look at it the wrong way!- Status
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