SLB Ego V V3 Mega - Durability Issues vs. iTaste V3 or something comparable

[Liquidsand]

I posted about this in my "introduce yourself thread" but, boy this is a busy forum, and it got bumped back a few pages pretty quickly.

The other day I received the SLB V3 Mega, after deciding between it and the iTaste V3. I chose the Mega because of the round shape, and the higher mAh. It only lasted an hour and a half before I dropped it and cracked the LCD screen. I was surprised at how easily it was rendered useless. I figured I could probably still use it, and just keep it plugged in most of the time, since there was no way to determine if the battery was running out or not, or the settings, but it was still making vapor. Well, that solution only lasted about 8 hours, and now it has completely stopped working.

The vendor can't return it for warranty because I dropped it, but offered me a little discount on a replacement. But I'm not sure if I should get another one. It was so easily destroyed, and it's unrealistic to assume I will never drop my device.
So I wanted to ask if anyone else has had similar problems, with the battery giving up the ghost shortly after a fall, or if it was because I was using it while plugged in, and whether there are any recommendations for a similar device that will be a LOT more durable.

How is the iTaste as far as resisting damage?

I was just reading on another thread about someone dropping their device from a ladder, in the snow, etc. I want something like that, but I don't really like the box style of the MVP, and I really wanted something slim. The variable voltage and passthrough features are important to me, puff counter and other bells&whistles, I'm not really ready for. That said, I use mainly Mini Protank IIs, but I got one of the new Davide Kings and I really don't like it. Maybe it would perform better on a different device, but when the SLB was working it didn't seem to perform any better than on my Vision Spinner or regular Ego. It would be nice if I could use the Davide for my favorite flavors, because it is so muck bigger than all my other tanks, and I read somewhere that the BDC was the best thing to use for all VG or Heavy VG. I have some Grants Vanilla Custard on the way, and I want to be set up to enjoy that!

I just realized how long this post has become...my bad. If you had the patience to read through all this and feel like offering any suggestions or just commiserating about dropping your battery, I would love to hear it.

 

[CreepyLady]

Hi and Welcome to ECF

To be honest - the only device in the lesser expensive spectrum I feel comfortable calling "durable" is the MVP. My fiance tests durability on a daily basis and he has broken every other thing he touches. lol. (Much to my dismay)

The eGo Mega is not actually at all durable as you discovered. If I had to pick mega or itaste VV V3- I would say the VV V3 is probably at least a teeny bit more likely to survive. The biggest problem is that in order to keep a slim form factor you have to take out all of the durable protection. So you really, more than anything, get durable OR slim.

Also - anything VV/VW with an LCD and Circuitry will be way more prone to being destroyed from a drop as opposed to something mechanical - but you have to be ready before you go mech mod. So finding one with a less prominently placed LCD (probably why the MVP still works LOL) and trying your best not to drop it is going to be your best bet.

 

[Liquidsand]

Thank you for your reply! I had a chance to try an MVP2 for a few minutes yesterday at work. It functioned very well, and i was immediately convinced that much better things are to be had. I'm still on the fence between it and the VV V3 thought because I found the MVP very awkward to hold/ The button is on the wrong side for a lefty, and the sharp edges of the box shape just don't seem very comfortable for having something like that resting in your hand for a long time. On the other hand the build quality is in an entirely different class from anything I've has the opportunity to see first hand. Does anyone have any other suggestions for a passthrough that has that kind of solid feel to it?
I know the MVP2 is considered impossible to beat for the quality at that price point. So assuming the VV V3 is of a slightly lower quality, at a slightly lower price, is there much of a difference in the actual puff-to-puff performance of the two? Because I did feel like I could taste my liquid better using the MVP2 than on my Spinner and Ego batteries.

 

[djsvapour]

I've only had the iTastevv about 4-5 days. I wouldn't like my chances if I dropped it.

On the surface it seems less sturdy than my Spinner, but even those can suffer permanent button failure it dropped at the wrong angle.

I've heard a few people say they've dropped Joyetech Twists with no damage.

 

[CreepyLady]

Thank you for your reply! I had a chance to try an MVP2 for a few minutes yesterday at work. It functioned very well, and i was immediately convinced that much better things are to be had. I'm still on the fence between it and the VV V3 thought because I found the MVP very awkward to hold/ The button is on the wrong side for a lefty, and the sharp edges of the box shape just don't seem very comfortable for having something like that resting in your hand for a long time. On the other hand the build quality is in an entirely different class from anything I've has the opportunity to see first hand. Does anyone have any other suggestions for a passthrough that has that kind of solid feel to it?
I know the MVP2 is considered impossible to beat for the quality at that price point. So assuming the VV V3 is of a slightly lower quality, at a slightly lower price, is there much of a difference in the actual puff-to-puff performance of the two? Because I did feel like I could taste my liquid better using the MVP2 than on my Spinner and Ego batteries.

What DJ says about dropping it. Also - just flip the MVP around to put the button on the opposite side. You dont have to hold it in anyway except the comfortable one My SO is a lefty too (the corners are rounded too )

As far as quality the VV V3 is literally a teeny MVP same manufacturer, same chip. However - as far as durable, not so much. In order to be small you lose more than 2/3 battery life and its not heavy duty. Its a GREAT device also. Just be aware - its not going to survive drops. Most devices dont. I just dont want to lead you to unrealistic expectations on it. It great, performs great, but it is a delicate electronic.

 

[Curly1203]

I've had the mega for about twit months and it has worked fine for me, of course I haven't dropped it. I only use it at home so it pretty,ugh stays in the same area. I use a plain ego type battery when I leave the house.

Curly

 

[CreepyLady]

I have an idea. Maybe something like this Gripper

 

[Liquidsand]

Thanks for sharing your impression that it doesn't feel very resilient, djsvapour. Since you've used a Spinner too, do you find the iTaste VV an improvement, flavor-wise? I should probably just get one of each - iTaste MVP2 and VV V3, since I can't make up my mind, but having recently flushed money down the proverbial toilet, I'm feeling very stingy.

I was reading a thread where someone dropped her VV V3 in water right after receiving it, and that was that. I know just how she was feeling! I was being careless with my new SLB, not gripping it tightly enough, and not really understanding the fragility of the LCD.

Are there any threads on troubleshooting this type of device? Even without the LCD readout, I was hoping to use the SLB as a backup on the charger, and it worked like that for a day, then just conked out. Now it fires on the first button press with a tank attached, then nothing.

 

[Liquidsand]

Wow, in the time it took me to write the last post, three more responses! I love how active this board is. I'm going to look at the gripper now.

 

[Liquidsand]

So that looks like a really cool, straightforward device. Thanks for the suggestion! I imagine the battery life is very good, and it looks like it would be very comfortable to hold. Maybe geared for a little stealth vaping; perfect for the ski lift?
Trouble is, I have grown very attached to two things; the Mini Pro Tank and the 4.5V setting on the Spinner. I already have a bunch of tanks that I switch between constantly for different flavors. Three Mini Pro tanks, three Evod BCDs, two Aspire Pyrex BDCs and two Davide Kings (which I don't love yet, the vapor tastes bland and watery.) From the description it looks like you have to use top wick cartos with the Gripper and stick with 3.7V. Please someone correct me if I am making the wrong assumption.

 

[Liquidsand]

Curly, do you ever leave your Mega on passthrough mode for long periods of time? Or do you charge it up and take it off the USB? Just wondering if I somehow burned it out when I continues to use it while plugged in, because I wouldn't want to do the same thing to a new passthrough device if that's a no-no. (I asked the vendor about this, but couldn't get an answer).

 

[r77r7r]

Oh, hey- What about that newer box mod that they ran over with a car and sent thru a car wash?? I think P.Opus ordered one lately?

Had like a blue silicone web design on the outside???


edit- Oh, here it is:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-not-close-being-waterproof-mod-part-1-a.html

 

[olderthandirt]

...
The other day I received the SLB V3 Mega, after deciding between it and the iTaste V3. I chose the Mega because of the round shape, and the higher mAh. It only lasted an hour and a half before I dropped it and cracked the LCD screen. I was surprised at how easily it was rendered useless....
How is the iTaste as far as resisting damage? ...

Hullo Liquid!
Just came across yer thread, timely.

I've been using 2 iTaste VV V3's daily at work for a few months now, love em'!
Just this past Thursday I missed my shirt pocket with one, fumbled it and sent it in an arc about 5 foot up. Landed flat on one side on bare cement. Didn't phase it one iota.

I can't address the Mega, never had one, but the iTaste VV V3 has continued to impress me as a fine little battery (-:

 

[Liquidsand]

Hi Older! That 's just the kind of story I want to hear. I'm not trying to diss the SLB (well maybe a little, sour grapes and all) but it fell three and a half feet onto the floor, and that was the end of it. I'm easily swayed by this kind of testimonial - it is far more relevant than a manufacturer or vendor description. However, the fact that it landed flat and not on the bottom corner, where the impact would be more damaging, probably had something to do with its survival, but I'm still very encouraged to hear that it has happened at least once...

Meanwhile, the bombproof one mentioned by r77r7r is probably overkill. I'm not that active . Just clumsy. But what an entertaining thread! And a great idea, to have a flashlight. I would guess that we will see many more of these types of durable, swiss army devices coming out, as well as lots of people selling protective skins and stuff like that for the popular devices like the MVP and Provari.

I think the thing about the button being on the "wrong" side, was based on wanting the device to be poised so that the atomizer is on the end closer to your face. Nitpicky I know. It was just one thing I noticed in a quick assessment, and while I was using it and enjoying the vapor, I didn't notice the button position at all. On another thread, a couple of people said that the vapor was the same between the MVP2 and the VV V3, so it is really a difference in battery life. With the passthrough on both, battery life isn't as crucial. I'm starting to conclude that I will get the VV first, and then when I'm ready to spend more money, which will happen, I'll get the MVP.

I'm still curious to know why the SLB stopped working for me, since it wasn't the fall that killed it, just the LCD screen. Something else I did seemed to have put the nail in the coffin for it.

 

[Matt Gertsch]

I got one of the Mega VV v3s for my wife. It lasted a little less than two months. It was babied, but one day the battery was at the end of the charge and shut down. Even after 24+ hours on the charger it wouldn't turn back on. Neither the place I got it from, nor SLB would answer my email.

 

[Liquidsand]

I got one of the Mega VV v3s for my wife. It lasted a little less than two months. It was babied, but one day the battery was at the end of the charge and shut down. Even after 24+ hours on the charger it wouldn't turn back on. Neither the place I got it from, nor SLB would answer my email.

Yup I definitely feel your pain.

 

[Sykriss]

Well, after waiting over a month for it to ship from slowtech, I received my eGo V V3. Five days later, it stopped detecting any ohmage of any tank I put on it. Suspecting it was a faulty center solder I disassembled it and sure enough, the solder came loose (presumably from heat exchange between the coil on my tank and the battery post). I resoldered it, and afterwards noticed that the LEDs for the power button refused to work; the battery reads an ohmage on my tank, and even holding the power button + the minus button works to display the ohmage. But when I press the button, the coil does not heat up, nor do the LEDs light up. Does anyone have any clue as to what could be causing this? All the wires and solders on the button board are good, and based on the fact that the - and power button combo still works the fire button is clearly still working. I don't understand it, and this is very frustrating to me since I haven't had this battery for a week and it has failed.

EDIT 11:00PM: I found out the issue. The voltage out wire (green) had broken internally, I resoldered it and it is now firing correctly. If anyone is interested in a how-to of disassembly on these things, I'd be more than willing to share.

EDIT 12:11AM: I'm just going to post disassembly instructions in case anyone needs them.

Step 1: Turn off your e-cig by repeatedly pressing the power button five or six times in quick succession.

Step 2: Get yourself a good pair of pliers and pry the post housing (where you screw your tank on) away from the battery housing. You will probably need to use significant force here, and you may scratch the post housing (I did). Once you feel it getting loose, be careful, as the firing button will come out, and there are rather short wires going from the post housing to the battery housing.

Step 3: De-solder the positive and negative leads on the buttons circuit board that go to the center post and the post housing. This will allow you to slide the rest of the battery internals out and away from the battery housing, exposing the LCD circuitry and the actual battery, as well as keeping you from having to re-solder the center post(which is an extreme pain in the ...).

Step 4: Diagnose the problem with your e-cig. Center post and neg/pos leads disconnecting seem to be very common issues, judging by the posts in this thread. My guess if your LCD stops working (basically the battery is totally dead) is that either the negative or positive lead from the battery to the LCD broke and needs re-soldering; if it powers on but doesn't read ohmage or fire at all (but the power light works still), then either your center post solder or your negative solder came loose (most likely the center post, that was the case with mine). Be very careful when re-soldering the leads directly from the battery, as if these short they WILL short your battery out and may cause venting.

Happy vaping!