So, My Prodigy V1 is Trash Now?

[Synthnadz]

Background:

I still use my V1 even though I have a bunch of other devices, as I like it despite its shortcomings. I've invested over $200 in parts (including extra switches) in it, and wasted probably close to 40 hours dealing with warranty tickets, failing switches, and stripped end-cap threads.

The Situation:

My end-cap threads have been slowly stripping, just like they did the last time I sent it in for repair about 6 months ago. So, today I decided to send it back again to pay for an urgent repair. After submitting the ticket, PS replied to me saying that there's nothing that they can do. They're out of tubes and end-caps, and cannot repair the ones I have.

So, effectively, PS is telling me that my $200 investment that's just over 1 year old is now trash due to a design flaw. I would be shocked if this wasn't the same kind of slap in the face I'm used to when dealing with PS. Still, it's pretty unbelievable.

So - does anyone have any suggestions for somehow 'rigging' this back into basic functionality? My threads only catch for about 1/2 a turn now, and they will certainly stop threading entirely within a few weeks. Is there any sort of repair hack that I may be missing?

SOL. What a nightmare. Never again.

Thanks,

...D

 

[Wench]

Know of any machine shops local? That endcap is fairy simple so maybe they could look at that one, get measurements and do another one and re-cut the threads on the tube?
Aside from that ... use tape to hold it on?
Check classifieds for parts some one may have?

 

[Synthnadz]

Thanks Wench...

I certainly do not know any machine shops, but I suppose that trying to find one is technically an option. Although it may likely cost me way more than it's worth to get the job done. How lame. :-/

 

[Wench]

Hopefully you can find one that won't charge much...

It is a shame about the Prodigy's and Protege's and them getting rid of them : (

 

[Synthnadz]

My immediate, non-elegant solution is going to have to be this: I'm going to stop using the bottom cap entirely, and only replace the batteries by disassembling the top cap and switch every time I need to change them. This will surely get old very, very fast. ;-)

 

[North Shore]

I had a chance to use a brand new V1 last year and I found that the switch failed to fire much of the time and that the threading was not so good. However, my V3 and Ikon both seem to show a better build quality, at least so far. If you want something with really serious stainless threads and heavy duty mechanical switches, look over at Super T. However, it costs a lot more to play over there and you'll have to wait for the thing for a while.

 

[Synthnadz]

Thanks North Shore...

...but I'm well-equipped in terms of alternate mods already. My two Buzz's are phenomenal, and I also have a Prodigy V2 sitting here in front of me. I was just hoping to keep the V1 going strong as well, that's all. ;-)

 

[smokum]

Had to give up long ago on both my Protege's (v1 AND v1.1) for the same reason !

And the kick in the nuts was Steve telling me he didn't have thread size & pitch so I could buy a tap n die and re-thread it... THAT, was MY last straw.. and I moved on.

 

[k9frog]

hey synthnadz, have you looked into havin a heli coil installed ,i know there available for sizes that big ,but not sure of the exact threading, ussally you can get these at a good automotive store, or have a machine shop install one, the end result would be steel threads not the alumium

 

[Synthnadz]

hey synthnadz, have you looked into havin a heli coil installed ,i know there available for sizes that big ,but not sure of the exact threading, ussally you can get these at a good automotive store, or have a machine shop install one, the end result would be steel threads not the alumium

Ah - now there's an idea worth looking into. I'll let you know if it works out. Thanks for the info. ;-)

 

[SavePaperVapor]

I bought a passthrough from them when they first released and the threads lasted no longer than a few months. Rather than pay for them to fix it I moved on as well. Thread failure is a well known puresmoker problem or at least it was. I'm not about to drop a franklin to find out if they fixed it or not. So many other mods out there, why gamble.

 

[crand]

You've got some amazing patience hanging in there with it as long as you have. Mine wound up in a land fill after about 5 months and endless aggravation. You might try running a WTB ad in the classifieds for used parts, no telling how many might be rattling around the back of desk drawers.

 

[Thalinor]

After all the problems I had with my Protege & USB pass I gave up on their mods. I still used them for Cash liquids, mainly Cash True Menthol but that's now gone too. TBH they have nothing that interests me anymore and even if they came up with something new I would be very hesitant after all I have been through with my PS mods. Sending out replacement switches free of charge is very admirable of a company, but when those replacement switches barely work themselves, it doesn't do much for me. The switches on all three of my altsmoke devices have never failed once. If people remember I was a very vocal PS supporter, even through the switch issues, but eventually you get tired of betting on the wrong horse.

As another poster above stated, "I have moved on..."


If anyone knows of a good Cash True Menthol clone, please PM me! It has to be PG based (VG makes my throat hurt), and very minty like Cash TM used to be before they stopped selling the stuff. Also, I am NOT looking for anything like the menthol ice which was a vanilla menthol taste. Again, just the original Cash True Menthol taste.

Thanks in advance.
Happy New Year, Be safe PPL.

 

[quovadis]

I have a ton on bits and pieces belonging to the V1.
useless junk.
what do you guys need?

 

[Synthnadz]

I have a ton on bits and pieces belonging to the V1.
useless junk.
what do you guys need?

Heh - just a new tube, nothing *major*. ;-)

If you honestly have a spare to...spare, I'd love it.

 

[ProStreet]

Sorry you are having issues but many times they are user induced. Have had my V1 since launch and no issues. When new improved designs come out from every manufacture the older stuff becomes EOL which means when repair parts dry up that is it. No company keeps producing and having stock of parts that may or may not get used.

Here you go a video. The first minute or so is me setting up the camera so skip that.


Prodigy, Recorded with my Android Mobile Phone. ProStreetCamaro on USTREAM.

 

[k9frog]

hey !! sent you a pm with some info that might help ya

 

[Synthnadz]

hey !! sent you a pm with some info that might help ya

Thank you so much, I will investigate!