What Is The BEST Interchangeable Thumb System and Why You Should Make The Switch! 

As a pro shop owner who does hundreds of switchgrips, Jopo has definitely come out on top for me. I have switched 98% of customers to these over the last 2 years and not 1 failure yet of any kind. That makes life easier for me. And the feel is more secure as I use them myself.

Thanks for the recommendation! I had the Vice grips installed today and it makes a world of difference!!

Love the angle and grip video. Thanks!!

About to add interchangeable thumbs, had my PSO who primarily installs vice get in touch w his supplier to grab some Jopo’s to install in my arsenal. As always appreciate the great content and you’ve saved me hours of research again haha.

I use the VISE system. I love it .. works absolutely perfectly! .. and in my view, interchangeable thumbs are a MUST. I can't do without them. I have a lot of trouble with my thumb changing size during an evening of bowling. I frequently have to adjust my thumb with tape, both on my thumb and in my ball during an evening of bowling. My thumb can change from game to game sometimes, and if I didn't have an interchangeable thumb system, so that I can use the same unit in each ball, I would be spending most of my time adjusting thumb holes. I can't do without an interchangeable thumb system. They are simply a must for any active bowler.

My PSO both uses and installs the Jo-Po. I’ve only used them for a short time, but they’re rock solid! Big fan!

Great comparison and info. Thanks

Used Turbo for years starting back in 2005-2006 and I have never had one break. I think different bowlers experience will vary based on how they treat their equipment. Vise seems fiddly to me as I've seen many bowlers struggling with either spacer rings loosening up or impact with the pins and pit causes thumbs to jam or to go missing. I installed hundreds of Turbos when I had a proshop back in the day and while I trust them, I think they could use an update. Currently I'm not using interchangeable thumbs since I just came back to bowling but I'm curious to try the JoPo since it looks like a great compromise / adaptation of the older systems.

I currently use the Turbo Switch grip. Used for about 10 years now. Never had one break as of yet, only issue u do have is I have to drill several new ones due to the sides wearing down after constant thumb switching. But I do love using them. JOPO would consider using it if my shop operator decided to bring it in. It looks like the best design that I've seen so far. VISE I haven't used before. I have seen many people before with the thumb grip separating from the bottom anchor. And in the middle of a tournament. I know VISE did a modification on the anchor & haven't heard of many issues after the change.

Thank you for making this video from you friend

Thanks for the info!

I have used the Turbo switch grips for 10 plus years bowling 2 or 3 nights a week and never had one break. The two tabs on the bottom do wear over time, but I am still using the first one I ever had. I have seen them break for other bowlers, but I have had good luck with them.

My local PSO carries the Turbo Switch Grip. I've been using them for about a year. Ive had one inner give trouble. The tabs got wear on them, preventing it from clicking into place. However, a small piece of thin slick tape on the side of the inner, near the bottom, snugged it up. However, I will mention the JoPo to my local PSO, he may start carrying them.

I've been using JoPo for a month or so now and definitely the only one I will ever use. I have them fitted for 8 of my 12 balls and gonna get the other 4 done soon. I have 3 inner done each a lil bit different and that's the way to do it.

Hey Luis, I see this is an old video, but I like how you are describing these products and differences between each. Based on that, I've used 2 out of the 3 (IT, Turbo). I wholeheartedly agree and having the same happen to me with both IT and Turbo. I've used Turbo for about a year and after it broke during bowling league one night and the PSO only sold those. I then switched to IT system. I went to a few other PSO that only sold IT and I have been using IT for the last 15 years. I have not heard of JO/PO but will look into them. Question for you, Is the texture of the grips different then what you would get from an IT grip? Or is it just the new technology on how it secures into the bowling ball. Is the cost of this system on par with what you would pay for the IT system? I do remember Turbo being more costly than the IT system. I also know that for Turbo the hole drilled into the ball is larger than one for IT. I wonder if the diameter of the JO/PO and IT are similar Great Job. PM

I like the idea of the same thumb feel for every ball but I love the way the inside a bowling ball feels compared to like plastic or even a plug

I know someone who uses the vise one, but personally I don't use an IT, but I have thought about doing so. Also liked the new camera angle

Like that camera angle!! Can see release, ball angle, footwork.

I couldn't agree more with you on this Luis. Last fall I started swapping out my 16lb arsenal and downsizing to 15lb balls. At that time I let the pro shop owner know that I was going to be drilling 6 balls and was interested in the interchangeable thumb systems. He actually refused to put any of the systems in at the time. I was disappointed but went forward with building up my 15lb arsenal. This year (since March), I have lost a ton of weight and my fingers and thumb shrunk to the point where I couldn't keep a ball on my hand without squeezing the heck out of it. I found a new pro shop that was willing to put in whatever thumb system I wanted. I selected the JoPo and had sleeves put in on all 6 of my balls and had two thumb inserts created. One is just a touch larger than the other as we are coming into the warmer months and I expect my thumb to swell a little in the heat/humidity. I will have a third thumb drilled in the fall for the winter season that is a little smaller than the smallest that I have in preparation for the winter league and colder conditions. Overall I am really impressed with the system and I only wish that my local pro shop would have put them in from the start. I am glad I have them know (and that I found a new pro shop that will work with me) and will have an insert put in all of my new balls going forward.

I've only used the vise IT. Been using it for about 5 years and only had it break once, and had one get stuck due to the core expansion once. Overall very good

Awesome video thank you

I used the IT grip, broke within the first month. Used the turbos and broke two within a month, but after a years use. Definitely going to try jopo next. Those look very secure and durable.

I used to use the turbo switch grip but had 2 of them break so I stopped using them. About 4 years ago I started using the vise IT grip and haven’t had any issues.

100% agree, I switched to JoPo and they are stout as hell.

Only have used Vise ITs, 4 years now. Yes, I have broken the bottom of the same Slug-IT (the white piece on the end of the thumb slug) twice. Initial install and repair was done by a Turbo PSO who also does ITs. Second repair was by a Vise PSO, who told me mine was one of the old ITs; and, to use it as a backup. No problems with my other Slug-ITs. Only other issue is if the core swells; you may have trouble getting the slug in/out.

Camera angle is dope Luis! Ultimates are good. Kinda like Turbo but instead it locks into the outer sleeve on the sides with 4 points of contact.

Yes. I've been using the IT system for years. When you have your ball rejuvenated in the pro shop by heat, the plastic at the bottom becomes brittle. They also have a tendency to not feel perfectly secure. A friend and I both switched to the JoPo. It is great

Good video I'm afraid to use them because I can't get my thumb out of the ball fast enough but awesome video bud

I've been using Turbo and Vice over the last 5yrs. Two of my balls still have Turbo, while Three have Vice. Had 3 failures with the Turbo and one with the Vice. Because I don't replace my bowling balls often, I would be reluctant to switch to another system. Maybe try the Jo Po with my next purchase!

Can I install a jopo system into a ball that originally had a vise it system in it without plugging up the hole and redrilling?

Jopo is absolutely amazing can't say enough about this company I've been using them for about 8 months now with no issues and can't find anything wrong with them I was always told I hit it to hard at the bottom and they would break but not with jopo. And yes the camera angle shows better ball motion

Great video Luis. Typically what is the additional cost for installation?

Good video. I have JoPo in a couple balls of mine. Just looking at the IT thumbs side by side it is obvious which is better. JoPo is just so much better engineered and manufactured, and looks it.

Jopo is the closest feel to a glued in thumb slug. Extremely solid, never had any issue with it. The Switchgrip inners always felt loose after a few days. The worst thing is the feeling of a loose slug during your swing.

I’ve used vise for about 3 years, and just had my first one break. Big fluke of a hit broke the threading system in both the thumb and the ball

Camera angle is nice. Can see the ball track better. How hard is it to change from one to the other?

Can a thumb mold be installed into the JOPO?

I used vise IT for about 7 years i think and then made the switch to turbo this year. I like that turbo is only half turn to twist in and out. never had any break 🤷

I use the interchangeable thumbs . I love the vise it so I have a oval shaped thumb with tape to kind of squeeze the ball feeling with me putting a little pressure with pad of the thumb and I have broke 2 , Same with the turbo switch grip just a hair bigger but broke a demo day one in the turbo switch grip fingers, and the ultimate thumb I love the most. It to me feels more secure then the other 2. P.S I didn't know your a former pro shop operator , my dream is to have my own pro shop so it is awesome to hear that you said your a former pro operator that is awesome.

I used to use the Vice IT and broke 2 mollies (piece at the bottom of the thumb hole. PSO said the only fix was to plug the thumb. Now I use the Jopo and love it. Just wish they had colors for the outside sleeve.

I used to have Turbo Switch grips, however, being a lefty, I kept unlocking the thumb and having it come out. Switched to VISE I.T. and never had a problem since.

So I currently have the IT from vise. Would it be very hard to make the change to the JoPo? Thanks and love your videos.

Good video. I currently use the Turbo system. I've been using it for about a year now. I never had a thumb break, but I have had to put a piece of black tape on the outside of the thumb to make it feel snug. I am in the process of trying out the JoPo system. I had to convince my PSO to get what he needed to put the JoPo system. I willl be getting it put in this next week. Good to see a comparison of the different systems.

I am new so please forgive my ignorance--do you have to install a separate sized thumb plug when you install these twist systems..i see they come with our without plugs from Jopo. thank you for your time

Jopo is goated. By far the best. Also as someone who drills my own equipment, ilike that I didn't need different bit in order to switch from switch grip to jopo.

Good camera angle. I just had a new ball drilled and I don’t know what happened the guy measured everything used the tool for finger size but the thumb hole is so big I can see at least 1/4 inch space. I’m sick. Will the Jo Pro fix this? I think it’s so big that tape won’t fix it.

Really liked the camera angle

#jopogrips for the win. We move so much jopo at our shop, it's actually unbelievable. I don't know how much I'm allowed to say, but jopo has big things coming soon 👀👀👀

Ive used Switch and IT grips. The tabs on the Switch grips can wear out but a nice band aid fix is a piece of tape in the liner. Another remedy is a very small rubber band wrapped around the tabs will make it more snug. Ive also used IT grips and I can feel them move slightly up and down on some shots. While it hasnt come out, that slight wiggle will mess with your head. Also had an IT grip break in the pit a couple of years ago. I would like to transition to Jopo but dont know of any PSO in the Milwaukee area installing them. If you're out there, give me a shout!

I just started using turbo switch grips, and I love the thumb slug I have several bowling ball drilled with turbo switch grips, and thumb slugs and I won’t change too any other thumb slug because I like turbo that’s just my opinion

I have had several break. I have over 15 balls with the turbo insert’s. Would love to experiment

I like the camera angle you had here at the end. I have used the Vise thumb for years. But I'm not afraid to change grips if it helps me improve my bowling. you said you have a shop here in LV that does them. Can you tell us who that is? I have not seen any of the local pro shops advertising them here in LV.

After a little over a year using the Turbo switch grip had 2 thumbs crack around the bottom. I switched to JoPo a couple of weeks ago and I feel more comfortable.

This video It's very useful

I have turbo thumbs and I have had multiple break, sometimes they get stuck in the ball and other issues to, but no pro shop around me uses vise stuff so I don’t really have a choice

I've heard different preferences for the actual texture if the thumbhole is why people pick one over another. Any thoughts you have for the actual texture of all 3?

I use the it's had them for four years only brokt an love them

I've been thinking of switching to IT, currently I have a thumb mold I use which works very well, but its pricey. Can you talk a little bit about which one is best for small super flat thumb shapes for women. Or if that even matters.

I have no major complaints with the VISE IT system in the last 2 1/2 years since I started using them. 2 minor issues, but I have no bad feelings towards the VISE IT. Unfortunately my curiosity got the better of me and I had my PSO replace the VISE IT to the JoPo TWIST in one of my older bowling balls. I feel the JoPo is a superior product and will over time have all my VISE ITs replaced with the JoPo TWIST. Unfortunately it will not be cheap😂

Do you use blank inner sleeves and slugs with JoPo? If so, what slug? What is the material that comes in the filled inner sleeve?

The Vise It’s are by far the best. I bring six balls to the bowling alley, and I don’t know what I would do without them. A really good benefit to interchangeable thumbs are that if you use tape in the ball, it’s much better than just a regular thumb hole. The vise it’s never broke for me. I’ve had them for 3 years. I can tell you one thing, the turbos suck. I know MANY people that have it and they break All the time. If you are thinking about getting a thumb, get the vise it’s.

So i have a question, could 2 totally different use the same ball if both of the people have their own interchangeable thumb, havnt been bowling for a while was just curious

Even thought I have been bowling for almost 5 decades, I have avoided the Interchangeable thumb systems for quite a while. Because of my heavy wrist cup, my thumb only really kept the ball stable in my hand. However, since I can't get as deep a cup anymore (due to age), my thumb feel is starting to get more important, especially since I bowl a Sport Shot league over the summers. I just got the J-Pro installed on all my reserve balls, and had to tweak the fit of the slugs at practice this morning. NOW the feel is good. [I was not going to mess with my #1 ball until I knew the feel was good on the slug.] I love the way the thumb locks into the ball with a click. {Showing it to someone this morning, he was able to hear the thumb click in while standing 10 feet away in the parking lot.) You are also NOT going to accidentally unscrew the thumb, because it takes effort and some pressure to unscrew it. For reference, I am a former power bowler but age and injuries (in my mid-50's now) have forced me to change my approach, and that killed 6 mph from my ball speed, but I still have my full revs. Because of that, I have a large arsenal of plastic balls: Pyramid Pathogen Blue Dot, 2 Radical Spys (drilled different), T-Zone (Actually a strike ball for me), and Urethane Pyramid Plague X. My new #1 doesn't make sense, but it is the Clear Rose from KR Strikeforce. For me the ball turns hard in the back end and drives the pocket.

I have vise. Never used turbo. But I want Jopo. I have had the bottom of the vise break.

Been really looking into these systems. Having trouble with the fit 90% of the time and hurting my thumb. My main question is, how is the insert measured? Does it have to be drilled as well? or are there many "sizes" and just taper it to my feel? Thanks!

I am limited to what my pro shop operator will install. He uses Vice and I personally have not had any failures. My only issue with Vice is that sometimes you need a tool to get the thumbs in and out. JoPo does look more robust. Are they easier to insert and remove from the ball?

I currently have no thumb system inserted and feel like I'm trying to hold onto the ball or am squeezing so much.. Newer to bowling. Should I look into them?

Been using turbo switch grips for 12+ years and never had one break. The only reason I’m not using the thumbs from then is that we have changed my spans and pitches a few times over the years and I had to get new thumbs made. I have seen ITs break and also get so stuck they had to be drilled out. But I’m sure with any of these, you do need to take some care with them.

I use the IT but they keep breaking on me and I was thinking about getting rid of it until a friend told me about the JoPo so I want to switch

I have a ball with a thumb drilled at a zero pitch, which system would you recommend to get a forward pitch, I am dropping my ball on every release, I am a 60yr who listened to a local pro talk me into a lighter ball with a zero pitch for an easier release, I can't use the ball, my concern is plugging it and drilling the thumb in the same spot with the forward pitch will lead to problems down the road. Any advice?

Camera angle is good. Can see everything well.

Haven’t had my thumb in ball since 1999 but I heard the Jo pro is awesome

Looking at the design, JoPo appears to be the most robust and durable designs of them all. Just the fact that the screw & lock portion is part of the slug's body eliminates the fragiler bottom locking mechanism of the other 2. They'd be #1 right now if they gave PSOs the install kit - like Vice & Turbo did.

Hey, Luis! I live in Vegas and I'm going on my 2nd year of bowling. Looking to move to interchangeables and want to use JoPo. Can you vouch for any PSOs in this city that are good and can install these? I've been to quite a few and had some disappointing experiences so far. Getting pretty tired of every ball feeling different; it's always something...

Used the turbo switch for over 10 years, have only ever broke one thumb out of many drilled. I personally can't use the IT because my thumb is too long and hits the bottom of the slug, where as the turbo has the little opening at the bottom.

I have never used interchangeable thumbs or any kind of grips. I think it would help me tremendously, though. My biggest issue is that my thumb is so weirdly shaped and swells constantly, thus making my shots very inconsistent. I live in Southeast Ohio, so I would have to drive over an hour and a half to even find someone to install them. Otherwise, I am a 212 avg bowler, trying to get to 220 in the next year. Peace.

Griploc was the first to make the interchangeable thumb but not many shops use this system.

in the process of switching to the jopo, I've used the turbo for about five years, and have had six of them break and get lost in the machines. Tired of buying no switch grips. Plus after a short while the turbo begin to get loose and i can feel them move slightly in my swing.

I have Turbo Switch Grips right now, and I have the same problem: Every single one I've ever had has broken. The locking flanges at the bottom always break after a few dozen games, and I end up having to put electrician's tape on the outside of the barrel to ensure it doesn't fall out of the ball. I'm switching to JoPos this year when I update my arsenal.

Nice video Lou. JoPo looks interesting for sure. I have never used an interchangeable thumb. For me the feel of the thumb is vital to a proper release. Only one thickness of thin black tape can throw off the whole release. I have m PSO drill my thumbslug to an exact "bit size" that is slightly larger front to back than my thumb, but smaller side to side than my thumb. By using a "bit size" I am assured of the identical hole size on every drilled ball. Then I use tools at home and "hand carve" the oval. I use a telescopic gauge to measure the width until it matches my other balls. Then I hand sand and smooth the hole removing all edges and creating a perfect smooth bevel. The final step is inserting white grip tape in the front and black tape in the back until the front to back size matches my other balls. This process takes about 3 hours per ball. It is a pain in the butt for sure, but to make all thumbholes identical by hand is not an easy process. Perhaps you can answer some of my fears of using an IT: -How do I hand carve it? -What if it screws in slightly more to the left or right from ball to ball making the oval not in the same orientation? -Will the need to drill a much bigger hole change the dynamics of the ball balance in a bad way for a Full Roller, taking out too much thumb weight? -I use 7/8" forward thumb pitch on a conventional grip, will the extra depth needed on an IT cause the drill hole to break through into the fingers?

So I watched this vid a while back and thought to myself that I really like the JoPo thumb system. Unfortunately there were no PSO’s in my area that offered this system. I first had the Turbo system in all of my equipment and had 2 break on the same league night. I then switched to the Vise IT system and had fairly good luck for a couple of years until recently when both the thumb and the sleeve at the bottom of the ball broke. I recently started using a different PSO and asked if he could install a JoPo for me to test. He is ordering one and is going to install. I’m really looking forward to trying. Thanks Luis for this evaluation.

Recently I heard the jopo were becoming unable to go into balls. That’s what my PSO told me anyway. I was just about ready to try jopo

I have used all 3 systems. I have had both Vise It and Turbo Switch Grip Fail. I have not had a jopo fail yet. JoPo is hands down the best of the 3 and in my shop we promote jopo more then the others. Its just a better system.

I use Vise IT thumbs. My only issue with it is that over time the screw base at the end of the thumb starts to wear and doesn't click in as securely as when the thumb is new. I've never lost a thumb in the pit because of it or broken a Vise IT though so its just a minor concern.

I like the jopo thumbs, but mine are hard to twist out by hand which gets frustrating while bowling.

What is an average price to install the system, vise IT or JoPo

Please use this angle more. Very in seeing a different angle on the ball’s action. Thanks!

Can you switch a ball from a Vise IT to a JoPo without too much trouble?

For me watching this video I look at the point of release and the turbo was iffy always thinking don't break , the vise it I think is good a little more secure then turbo and less thinking don't break , and the jopo twist is way more secure and looks ALOT better for you while I was watching your release with the jopo. But that is what I think .

I had ultimate for years until recently. I started to notice that the ultimates weren't being made the same with each outer sleeve. One would be to tight the next to loose. Inner sleeves would wiggle over time. I recently switched to jopo. I like jopo more. They don't come loose over time and each outer sleeve is the same. Jopo hands down

I used Turbo never had any break. My issue was going from one ball to another sometimes it wouldn’t fit into that ball. Nothing worse then being in a tournament and going to make a ball change and the thumb sleeve won’t fit. Because of that I went back to slugs and tape.

How hard is it to switch from one thumb brand to another? Are they all the same diameter to drill out?

Maybe it's just me, but it looked like you were coming through the Sun Storm with the JoPo the best. Maybe that's just me not paying attention much to how the thumb comes out, but the Sun did look the best

I wish our local PSO had JoPo interchangeable thumbs. I currently have Vise IT and like ok.

Personally I’ve used ITs and Turbo switch grips. I prefer the Turbos myself but because I live in SoCal now I had to switch from Turbos to ITs because none of the PSOs I frequent supply the Turbos. Please mention that it’s a regional thing. Midwest is heavy EBI and Turbo territory and the West coast is more SBI and Vise.

I had a league team mate who used an interchangeable thumb slug and it always broke around it. He had to have his ball repaired many times

I used a switch grip when I went to a bad proshop. Once I found a good proshop, I haven't needed any grip. The pso said I have an easy thumb to drill.

Great vamera angle.

You should try custom thumb system. Pro shop has model of your thumb. The thumb is permanent in the ball

Theres also ultimate thumb interchangeable and it has nothing at the bottom to worry about