I have 3 batteries and a Nitecore D4 so charging externally is no big deal for me. I can live without the included usb charger and would be happy to do so however it is covered by warranty so is worthwhile getting it sorted in the long run.
All sorted now anyway. I have confirmed via my mates unit and charger that it is infact 100% a charger issue with mine which Hopper Labs have accepted and have asked
@VapeFiend.com to send me a new one which they are doing tomorrow and I will return the faulty one for them to examine.
Cannot fault Vapefiends service in any way, i was just as you say being a bit impatient with HL as the Hopper is so good i cant live without it. It is my intention to buy another as soon as I am able to source one from Vapefiend. They have added me to their mailing list and are expecting another batch sometime through June.
I do have other vapes, a Crafty, a Storm and a Flowermate V5s at my disposal but they dont compare for extraction or ease of use so i just got a bit tetchy at the thought of being without my Hopper for any length of time again.