The Gripper from MadVapes

[BacsiBob]

I wanted something stealthier than my TGo's and longer lasting than a 380 mah battery. The Gripper looked like it would fit the bill and for only $20. I ordered one 1.7 mega cartomizer with it and later ordered some 510 extensions so I can attach a 3.5 ml tank.

The description states that while it was designed for one 18350 battery, the cap will not close fully. I wanted 18350's for other reasons and I figured I could live with it. Well, I couldn't. I screwed the cap too hard and broke loose the metal ring into which it installs. This also broke loose the wire leading to the socket. Because the case is not Ft. Knox, I carefully split it at the seams, resoldered the wire and super glued it back together. I also resolved to stop trying to "make" it work. Another poster suggested inverting the battery and it will close fully. I wonder if that would create negative ion vapor??

I've just filled the carto for the third time on the initial battery. Vapor is great, flavor is great and I really like the way the carto is "hidden" by the box. Overall height with a 44 mm carto and 7/8" drip tip is 3-5/8". It's 1.5" wide and 1" "thick". Great for those little league and soccer games that Grampaw is always going to.

Bottom line: it's cheap (price and quality) but it works. IMHO, it works great and will fill my needs just fine. Just be aware that it is what it is and it will not hold up to rough use. Here's a pic I just shot...I have huge hands and the mug holds 12 oz.

 

[artt]

If it's working out for you, that's great. At 20 bucks it's not going to break the bank either.

 

[zzooti]

Mine was alright........just alright; served its purpose, a step up from eGo type then on to the mini LT; I liked the 'sidecar' design, but I never liked the deep carto well, and I definitely don't like the lack of any sort of on/off switch; if someone made a follow-on model with a metal body, on/off switch, not so deep carto well (just enough to bury a standard carto) I might buy it. When I ordered my Gripper, I read the bit about 18350 batteries, and ordered 2 Ultrafire 16340's; a short while later I rolled the dice and ordered an AW IMR 18350, which fit & worked perfectly, so I ordered more; as a consequence, when I came across a bare mini LT on sale, I was all set with batteries & charger.

 

[YoureFired]

Nice review. I've tried an 18350 with the positive nipple and the somewhat flat style 18350 in my Gripper and both fit nicely. The bottom easily screws on all the way, too.

The 510 extension is great, so now I can vape with stardusts and things on it.

 

[Greykin]

I have a gripper and it's a pretty functional little stealth vape. The threaded ring pulled straight out of mine too, but luckily the soldered ground wire didn't break off, so I just epoxied it back into the well. I'm using a Trustfire 18350 in it which is a little too long to fully close the cap, so I just put it in backwards (neg side up). This is a simple switch mod, so it doesn't matter at all which direction the current flows.

For $20 I had no huge expectations...but it does alright. I do wish, however, that the button was side mounted because with it positioned like it is I tend to use it with my index finger. Trying to fire the button with my thumb ends up shoving my thumb knuckle into my face.

 

[The White Rabbit]

Would it fit one of these inside, or would I need the 510 extension?

Firebird Bottom Coil Cartomizer - 5 Pack

 

[BacsiBob]

Would it fit one of these inside, or would I need the 510 extension?

Firebird Bottom Coil Cartomizer - 5 Pack

I'm glad you asked this. I now have 2 Grippers and I've been using Jumbo Resurrector cartos with the 510 extension. I found the opening to the Gripper "well" to be a bit smaller than the "tunnel" so I drilled it out thinking the Resurrectors would fit. FAIL!!

But, the Firebirds (I have them as CE3's) will fit thru the enlarged opening and are long enough to work. I'm pretty sure the drill bit I used is 13/32". Drill slowly and carefully and stuff something in the hole first to keep plastic shards out of the well.