Lavatube question...

[Khromm]

Okay, this is gonna sound a little bit odd, but have any of you Lavatube users had any issues with the build quality?

To be a bit more specific I'm going to have to go into a little more detail as to why I'm asking.

Ignoring the fact that my Lavatube, when received, had a definite lean to the position of the 510 connector (noticeable when attaching a carto, less of an issue with a tank), I had a little "accident" with mine today.

While at work, I tend to keep whatever kit I'm using in my shirt pocket. I also am in the habit right now of wearing a jumper (it's still a bit nippy out, dontcha know, and I've still not had official permission to vape at my desk...). When I went out for my afternoon vape today, I found that the tank and 510 connection (along with the black cap itself) had separated from the main body of the Lavatube, leaving it attached only by the red and black wires (so far I've not found the plastique, but will keep looking ). Cannot for the life of me figure out how it managed to come off - I'm not rough with it, and only tighten to biting point and no further.

I popped it back on as soon as I found it like that, but during the course of my afternoon vape, at the end of what actually turned out to be my last use of it for the day, I heard and felt a "snap" akin to what you get when something earths itself... Kinda scared to use it again right now (not sure if I can get anything done to it under warranty or not - am in the process of digging out the documentation right now...)

Currently the top feels more or less secure, although it's easy enough to remove it when the tanks connected.

So, like I said, anyone else had any "issues" with the build quality? (Gonna use this as an excuse to save up for a Provari or GG now )

[Jemima]

Yes although not quite a serious as yours. Wehn I took off the screen protection film the screen came with it. Popped it back in but was lose and would fall out again. Reported it to the people I bought it from and they replaced it with no problems.

Arrived a couple of days ago and all is well (so far)

[leftfield]

I thought lavatubes were meant to come with a year's warranty.

You're not the first I've seen to have had a wonky 510 connection. I would have sent it back straight away if I noticed the connection was squint for a replacement.

Yours is the first case I've seen that it actually broke off though.

On the plus side for me, mine is straight and I've dropped my lavatube at least 100 times by now (no really, at least 100 times) and it's working just as well as when I got it a month ago so I haven't noticed bad build quality personally.

[Gordy]

as far as i know the top cap is just glued on, so yours may not have been glued correctly. best thing to do is contact the vendor and see what they say. the 'snap' or shorting may have damaged the electronics

[Red]

Same happened to my original black one, except it was at the other (battery cap) end. The glue holding the plastic cap to the spring plate had completely failed. I didn't notice when it happened and carried on using it for a while so there was potential for a bit of a shock. The 510 connector is also slightly on the wonk but this has been corrected in the slightly revised steel effect toob I purchased at a later date.

Like yourself, I was very gentle with the toob which I was almost exclusively using with a delicate tank.
Anyway, I retraced my steps and found the end cap on the driveway where I'd previously parked , it'd been ravaged by tyres & gravel.

ECigWizard were very good in replacing the failed part. No questions were asked and it was sent out the same day.

P.S I'm tempted by the Provari too.. I noticed there's a Jan sale on at the Provape site. Only works out at about 105GBP not including postage from the U.S!

[Deleted]

The leaning aspect seems to be quite common then as I have the same prob (see lava tube review) the top does have glue smudged around mine but seems well stuck on, the buttons rattles a bit too.
The one thing I have done is to put O rings on top and bottom of unit to absorb any knocks or drops hopefully.
Still a good bit of kit though I am well chuffed with mine.
I suppose you could lean slightly with it to offset it and make it look straight.. Nah maybe not

[Khromm]

Thanks for the advice guys, have emailed the supplier and am awaiting a response.

[blakey]

Jan 16, 2012 17:52:28 GMT Red said:

P.S I'm tempted by the Provari too.. I noticed there's a Jan sale on at the Provape site. Only works out at about 105GBP not including postage from the U.S!

Warning! They also come with a customs charge, Mine was about £23 if I remember correctly

[blakey]

On the Lavatube breaking issue, Was it possible that pressure was put on the tank when in your pocket effectively bending against the screw thread? this can prize the connector from the tube. It's extremely easy to forget it's there when you're sitting down. I destroyed a clear dual coil by sitting with it attatched to a mod in my pocket luckily the dual coil gave out long before the mod did but the first incling I had of a problem was when juice started soaking my leg Just something to tick off your check list when you're trying to figure out how it broke

[Khromm]

Jan 16, 2012 18:27:51 GMT blakey said:

On the Lavatube breaking issue, Was it possible that pressure was put on the tank when in your pocket effectively bending against the screw thread? this can prize the connector from the tube. It's extremely easy to forget it's there when you're sitting down. I destroyed a clear dual coil by sitting with it attatched to a mod in my pocket luckily the dual coil gave out long before the mod did but the first incling I had of a problem was when juice started soaking my leg Just something to tick off your check list when you're trying to figure out how it broke

Now I'm not saying I'm fat (because it's just the way I'm sitting, you understand ) but yes, it's possible there was some pressure being put on it. However, in a shirt pocket I'd expect to have to put a lot of pressure on it to get it to prize off that easily - I don't keep my kits in my trouser/jeans pockets, so can rule that out - it's always an inside jacket pocket, or shirt pocket, for ease of reach. Plus I'm considering one of those gooseneck tips so all I have to do is look at my pocket and press a button .

[edit] For clarity, the wonkyness of the connector was noticed out of the box... just sayin' y'know [/edit]

[Deleted]

Got mine last week and it doesn't have any wonkiness about it , due to my job being quite physical , it will deffo not be coming with me , unless I'm working away where it will still only be used in the evening as it is at home , my tornegovas are sturdy enough to handle a bit of bashing about at work.

[PeeKay]

I've seen Khromm's Lavatube this evening, and the one point that he hasn't made clear is that it's the whole of the top plastic section that has parted company with the tube - not just the 510 connector. Think of the bottom battery cap, look at the top of the LT and you'll understand what has separated.

Looking on the underside of the cap, there is a white glue residue (just as Gordy said) and this doesn't appear to have done the job quite as good as it should. It was quite interesting being able to look down the hole at the electronics below - you can even see the small transformer that they use!

I think the Chinese missed a trick - a good dollop of hot glue would have protected the electronic and wire a lot better, and held onto the cap like a good'un. Guess that cost too much, huh?

Good luck getting that replacement mate!

[Perpetua]

I guess, whilst it's no consolation to those that have had/having problems with their LT's . . . that considering the thousands that must have been sold, the odds are on for there to be the odd duff one.

No excuse as such I know, but looking at the bigger picture and all . . . plus from from I've seen LT Supplier's are exchanging defective ones without any issue.

Hope you get yours sorted out quickly Khromm!

[Gordy]

i remember back to the old faulty xbox 360 and apparently manufacturers often expect a 10% failure rate... so the Lavatube isnt doing so badly considering the cost

[Gordy]

will their R&D dept make a pink one specially for Bel if you ask them ?