Opinions on replacement for Stigma Hyper V3

[sneetch]

Hello all...I have been using my Hyper V3 for almost 4 years now as my go-to shader, and have been experiencing issues with the RCA. I was about to purchase a second Hyper V3, but am now thinking maybe I should find something else. I'm looking for feedback about rotary machines for shading/coloring that have the feel and bounce of the Stigma. Traditionally hard-hitting rotary machines don't feel right to me, I never found the sweet spot on my Neotat Vivace. Currently I'm using a Raptor 2 and a Raptor 3 for shading/color. They have a little bit of the softness and bounce I love about my Hyper V3, but unfortunately are a faint shadow of what I'm used to. Any info is greatly appreciated, thank you!

[Seanaskew19]

The only real advice I can give is this, between me and my mate we have 3 hyperv3's and they all behave VERY differently. So even if you ended up buying another V3 the chances are it wouldn't be like the one you love. I've heard this from a few other tattooers who own more than one as well.

[acink]

I have to agree with with Seanaskew19 I also have 3 hyper V3 and everyone of them is a completely different machines.

[Bully Jey]

Irregular connection with the RCA and RCA failure are super common in the Hyper V3. On mine, the solution was to 'shim' down the positive lead on the female rca inside the machine itself: after multiple uses and the rca male end pulling down from the weight of the cord, the positive lead inside the machine starts to migrate upwards, eventually causing an unstable connection. I put a super tiny piece of folded aluminum foil as a shim between the casing and the female positive lead so there was constant pressure on the positive lead from the male (showing the location in the attached pic) Hope this helps.

[sneetch]

Thanks for weighing in on this dilemma, y'all. The Stigma people were incredibly condescending and rude, implying that I didn't know how to treat a tattoo machine, and insisting that the fault must be all mine because they couldn't have possibly made a machine with even a small flaw...lol.
As pointed out by Bully Jey, it would seem there is a small flaw in the RCA assembly. (Thanks for the aluminum foil fix - I'll give it a whirl.)
If the HyperV3 is as inconsistent feel-wise as the other 2 comments have indicated, then I am definitely better off not purchasing another one.
So, I guess I'm still looking for a rotary with a softer feel. Anyone else have anything to say?

[Bishopbyname]

Dragonfly maybe. One of the best give systems available on rotarys IMO

[nivek]

The older injecta specifics and specific 2 are a great little adjustable machine. Under-rated in my opinion.

[casey]

Agree with Bishopbyname , Dragonfly is a great tool both original and x2

[eduki]

I love the Swashdrive Compact, unfortunately it's not for sale anymore... Would like to know why disappeared, tons of configurations in seconds (stroke and give)

[Seanaskew19]

I've just had an incident with my halo and some white ink, so thought I should replace it just in case I couldn't get it going again. Plus my hyper v3 must be 5 years old now so really needed a fully adjustable machine as a back up just in case that went tits up as well. So I've just bought a Dragonfly x2. Can't fault it really, lines, packs and nice soft b/g. It's almost silent and light as a feather. Plus I like the way you can purchase any spares and fix/replace most things without having to send it away or argue with suppliers. So another vote for the Dragonfly.

[sneetch]

I've been looking at a Swashdrive Gen 8, very adjustable, evidently. They claim they will have a repair person in the US soon too. I have heard much about the Dragonfly, and will look into that as well.
This has been amazingly helpful! Thanks everyone again for the input.

[demonica]

Just want to add that I've had that same inconsistency with V3's; I have two, one is the most amazing B&G machine on the planet, sadly now dying, and another which hits very differently and is better suited to lining or colour shading. Neither of them pack solid colour well at all. I recently had the latter overhauled/repaired by Stigma, posting insured to an obscure Greek Island was extortion, all in all it cost me nearly £200 to have it re-motored and overhauled. Really wasn't worth it, it wasn't my favourite to begin with and it ran very differently again when I got it back. I wished I hadn't bothered and put the money towards a new Cheyenne Hawk or Spektra edge... Not sure I want to go down Spektra route either though as I have 3 halos, and have gone through 2 motor bolts due to overheating and had to replace slider in one...

[Seanaskew19]

Hi Alexandra, if yr V3 does finally shuffle off this mortal coil, like I've said previous, have a look at a dragonfly X2, I've just replaced my Halo and my V3 with one. Fully adjustable and for me it out performs both of those machines in every department. Plus Barber sell spares so there's a good chance you can fix it yrself next day should you need to.

[darkness]

the hyper v3 is a copy of the swashdrive -so i would go for a swash..and you have 1a support and all my swash never broke after years.

[demonica]

Ahh cools. There's plenty of the x2's kicking round in good cond second hand, might try one first then get a new one if I like it. Bit done with Halo's, can't find a way of stopping the motors running hot with carts..!

[sneetch]

Update: I managed to get my Hyper V3 fixed (not by Stigma). For my back-up shader I've decided to go with the Dragonflyx2.
Thanks again for the input!:)

[Seanaskew19]

Glad you got it sorted and good choice of new machine. Enjoy!