Discontinued The Grasshopper

[jivebuggered]

So last night I tried some kief in the hopper, which is insane through glass. HUGE rips.
Anyway, I was already pretty high I guess, so I decided to just put some kief in the chamber without any extra herb or anything and see what happens.

First two pics top row (blue dots in corner of pic) was after hitting the bong with a small scoop in the chamber. After one or two light drags, the kief melted to the walls of the chamber.
The pics don't show it all too well, but it's gold coloured and has slight depth to it the whole way down. (hopper was vertical in glass).
I then filled the chamber with some herb and vaped the rest.
It was super effective! (was planning on posting these pics after, but the struggle was real).
After shots are the third and fourth pics top row (red dots).
As can be seen, it vaped this oil quite well, herb came out very dark brown, oil (melted kief) turned into a dry powder.
I used the metal tool below to quickly wipe out the residue, and the two pics to the left (first two bottom row, green dots) show that it came out basically clean.
The last pic bottom row is the mouthpiece, and the last pic top row is the positive battery contact.

The first pic top row shows both screens. Very fine holes and a one-way air path means this all worked out quite well.

@jivebuggered From what I can see, there is a brass battery contact plate centrally, 6 solder points surrounding it (two/three in my pic show convex solder mounds, which isn't ideal. Concave means the solder has reached a proper liquid stage and can wick through the PCB.) about 6 capacitors of varying styles and three blank chips.

Howdy, what is yours and other members thoughts on the brass contact plate? If a few of the "etched" holes ever get dirty could it cause the power drain and other weird electrical things that have been happening? Has anyone cleaned this plate with a cotton bud (with Iso) after having problems and has cleaning it made any difference? I really think this part of the Hopper needs to be investigated more.
On a side note I use the metal measuring tool that came with the E-nano to clean out the hopper oven, it works well.
http://imgur.com/a/y8fLz
Photos show the difference in size to a normal pen the other photo show the excellent cooling stem I have adapted from DaVinci stem with high temp silicion and a Da vinci gong stem with silicon which mate nice and airtight to the hopper MP just like the shuttle mating to the space station LOL

 

[Kalessin]

Was bored and lamenting my broken hopper. Shook it, clicked it a bunch, smacked the backend on the box a few times, clicked it again and now it is working again. Hallelujah! My new frontend is arriving Thursday, hope it lasts till then.

Edit: and it almost just killed me...gotta remember to respect the Hopper's power and not pull too hard..

 

[MonkeyTime]

Howdy, what is yours and other members thoughts on the brass contact plate? If a few of the "etched" holes ever get dirty could it cause the power drain and other weird electrical things that have been happening? Has anyone cleaned this plate with a cotton bud (with Iso) after having problems and has cleaning it made any difference? I really think this part of the Hopper needs to be investigated more.
On a side note I use the metal measuring tool that came with the E-nano to clean out the hopper oven, it works well.
http://imgur.com/a/y8fLz
Photos show the difference in size to a normal pen the other photo show the excellent cooling stem I have adapted from DaVinci stem with high temp silicion and a Da vinci gong stem with silicon which mate nice and airtight to the hopper MP just like the shuttle mating to the space station LOL

I don't think I'm going out on a limb when I say that the back end heating problems are a direct result of the decision to use the body of the GH as a conductor. The batteries dying from one load, the excessive heat in the rear end on only some units. All the same issue, the rear end is either shorting out or becoming a resistive load somehow. It sounds like it could have something to do with the clip, at least in some instances.

It's simple, that heat isn't being transferred from the front end, that would mean a breakdown in insulation. Most likely a simple correction. Infrequent hot ends is easy to understand when you think about how many small connections must be made to make this "wireless" unit work. Any one of them isn't solid and you had an instant hot spot. That heat is being created and using an unregulated amount of current, unlike the oven. This short is outside the micrologic of the controls, it isn't intended.

They actually over engineered this aspect with simplicity. But most certainly doesn't mean that it isn't correctable.

Sorry if I'm rambling, it's a beautiful evening and I've been playing with a new whip and my Mighty and some old glass on the deck. The GH is a well designed unit from what I can see from all these posts. However, it was probably wasn't put thru very extensive real world field testing because of the pressure of the campaign funding. Meanwhile, a very simple thing may have been waiting to become a very serious complication.

I can't wait to have the chance to have some of these problems lol. I really like my Pax2 and Mighty, they get the most use by far. But the GH seems to be designed to work how I want to use it, I have to modify my use with those two to work with small, two or three hit sessions.

Healthy green all,

MT

 

[Bdubbdiblets]

Was bored and lamenting my broken hopper. Shook it, clicked it a bunch, smacked the backend on the box a few times, clicked it again and now it is working again. Hallelujah! My new frontend is arriving Thursday, hope it lasts till then.

Edit: and it almost just killed me...gotta remember to respect the Hopper's power and not pull too hard..

This has happened to me a few times I have held off mentioning anything but I've read a few similar stories...last night I had red blue death lights for the first time ever...slept on it...morning click boom biggest clouds yet!! Caroline told me to keep using it as long as its functioning. Both my hoppers always get real hot all over but I take pretty long hard pulls every time and work it pretty hard so I don't feel it's a problem as long as it produces. It cools quickly. The battery life varies greatly, Ive had blinking blue lights only to unscrew and screw back on and get a strong blue light cloudy pull right after. Also had a seemingly full battery according to nitecore die almost instantly...recharge and work like a champ...bottom line weird inconsistencies it seems everywhere and this is with 2 SS hoppers and 5 batts used all day every day for a month or so..I suggest peeps with issues mess with it or give it a day and try again..that's why I have 2...But they work 89% of the time and while working it is the best thing cannabis and my dome has ever encountered...

Here's to hopper labs getting it closer to 100%

It's funny...I find I'm always happily hopped when I feel like posting here...

 

[Kalessin]

This has happened to me a few times I have held off mentioning anything but I've read a few similar stories...last night I had red blue death lights for the first time ever...slept on it...morning click boom biggest clouds yet!! Caroline told me to keep using it as long as its functioning. Both my hoppers always get real hot all over but I take pretty long hard pulls every time and work it pretty hard so I don't feel it's a problem as long as it produces. It cools quickly. The battery life varies greatly, Ive had blinking blue lights only to unscrew and screw back on and get a strong blue light cloudy pull right after. Also had a seemingly full battery according to nitecore die almost instantly...recharge and work like a champ...bottom line weird inconsistencies it seems everywhere and this is with 2 SS hoppers and 5 batts used all day every day for a month or so..I suggest peeps with issues mess with it or give it a day and try again..that's why I have 2...But they work 89% of the time and while working it is the best thing cannabis and my dome has ever encountered...

Here's to hopper labs getting it closer to 100%

It's funny...I find I'm always happily hopped when I feel like posting here...

This is probably the fourth or fifth time I've messed with it in such a manner with no results previously. It's weird, but I'm not complaining, I have a buzz going like I've been desiring since the hopper stopped working

 

[smokie]

Second hopper to die in a week.
Whilst waiting for new body for ti hopper my spare ss has now died. Showing red and blue lights no heat.

Quick edit. Took hopper apart and cleaned. Not that there was anything to clean! And it appears to be working again.

 

[AgentXero]

Don't even have my hopper yet and I'm already so worried/nervous that I'm gonna have to warranty it lol

 

[moondog]

Don't even have my hopper yet and I'm already so worried/nervous that I'm gonna have to warranty it lol

I am having a similar crisis of faith. This is supposed to be my stealth portable. If I have to worry that I'm gonna get left stranded without a vape when I'm out and about, that's a problem.

 

[AgentXero]

My biggest fear is when I'm out skiing for the day or up in VT for a long weekend and it failing on me

 

[MoltenTiger]

I don't think the failure rate is really that bad. Sure there have been a lot of warranty cases, but not thousands? And there are many thousands of devices out there being used daily at this stage.

 

[AgentXero]

For sure. Definitely plenty, likely the majority of units that will never need a warranty. In this case I prefer to be pessimistic so if it happens I'm not surprised and if it doesn't I'm thrilled!

 

[Vapor_Eyes]

I don't think the failure rate is as bad as it seems. If it's a big deal, just buy two. Until recently two SS Grasshoppers cost less than a Firefly 2, and even after the latest price increase they would cost less than a Mighty.

 

[zurichris]

Picked up my hopper (ordered from Verdampfnochmal as Vaposhop were out of stock; have now ordered stuff from both shops, good experiences with both) whilst visiting a friend in the Netherlands almost three weeks ago. Loved everything about the hopper (my only other vape experience is a crafty, bought earlier this year). Lived up to the hype for me. Very convenient when on the go in town, and zero learning curve for my pal.

Was really happy I had it at this year's Züri Fäscht, perfect for festivals and the like.

Last Thursday back home was showing a friend and he was getting ready to order one when the disco lights of doom started their dance. Next day my extra batteries + sleeve arrived from the US (one week, not bad, even at 25 USD shipping as I did not have to pay import or tax). Tried two of the batteries - no go. So I contacted Verdampfnochmal about warranty.

As I'm off on holiday on Friday, and much as I love my crafty, I reckon that the grasshopper will really help me finally to fc, so I ordered a new earlier this week one delivered to where I'm going to (free delivery in Europe is cool).

Reading through the last few pages, and having not yet sent off my current hopper, I played around with it once more and lo and behold it works again! Had a celebratory vape, emptied the avb, checked again, but oh no the disco lights are back! Fiddled around with it for a while, and generally found I can get rid of the lights and then (hopefully) vape. So I think it will probably have to go into warranty

So the hopper. Fantastic vape - when it works. Hope my next one is more reliable, and that things work out for hopper labs and us in the long run!

P.s. SS hoppers; got a TI on order from hopper labs that with a bit of luck will arrive this side of Xmas

 

[moondog]

I don't think the failure rate is really that bad. Sure there have been a lot of warranty cases, but not thousands? And there are many thousands of devices out there being used daily at this stage.

I should probably go back and just find all the posts from people who are loving the hopper to remind me why it's worth taking the chance.

I don't think the failure rate is as bad as it seems. If it's a big deal, just buy two. Until recently two SS Grasshoppers cost less than a Firefly 2, and even after the latest price increase they would cost less than a Mighty.

In fact, that's exactly what I did. My order is for a TI and an SS. But I don't want to have to carry them both with me all the time.

 

[YaFreekin Right]

I should probably go back and just find all the posts from people who are loving the hopper to remind me why it's worth taking the chance.

In fact, that's exactly what I did. My order is for a TI and an SS. But I don't want to have to carry them both with me all the time.

I was concerned with my GH failing. Since I have a warm backend, I believe it will one day but the more I use it the less I care. It simply kicks so much ass. I had a hit last night that would have doubled for combustion, I don't recall a hit on my EVO even that thick! If it has to go in for warranty so be it, I just want HL to keep improving the product & stay in business.

 

[moondog]

I was concerned with my GH failing. Since I have a warm backend, I believe it will one day but the more I use it the less I care. It simply kicks so much ass. I had a hit last night that would have doubled for combustion, I don't recall a hit on my EVO even that thick! If it has to go in for warranty so be it, I just want HL to keep improving the product & stay in business.

That's what I like to hear!

 

[AgentXero]

I was concerned with my GH failing. Since I have a warm backend, I believe it will one day but the more I use it the less I care. It simply kicks so much ass. I had a hit last night that would have doubled for combustion, I don't recall a hit on my EVO even that thick! If it has to go in for warranty so be it, I just want HL to keep improving the product & stay in business.

How's your battery life been with that warm backend?

 

[Bdubbdiblets]

It seems like the warranty process is getting super easy imo. There seem to be 2 main issues...hot back end/poor performance...they send new back end. Death lights...they send new body. I just send back old part once new one is received...this allows me to mess with it while I wait. Very cool they let this happen. Caroline seems to respond lightning fast as well....my suggestion is in the email or warranty request...be nice

Hop on...warranty and all!!

 

[Radiocitysuicide]

Speaking of warranties... My hopper arrived at Hopper Labs today for repair although they have yet to acknowledge it. How long does it usually take before they send it back?

 

[CarolKing]

I am having a similar crisis of faith. This is supposed to be my stealth portable. If I have to worry that I'm gonna get left stranded without a vape when I'm out and about, that's a problem.

You are definitely going yo need a back up stealth portable. A true vaporist has a back up for the back up. I've been reading about the flavor. I really like an all glass mainly air path. All the steel I'm not sure? I've had some portables with mainly steel ovens, it didn't appeal to me flavor wise. Not mentioning any names.

 

[moondog]

You are definitely going yo need a back up stealth portable. A true vaporist has a back up for the back up. I've been reading about the flavor. I really like an all glass mainly air path. All the steel I'm not sure? I've had mainly steel ovens, it didn't appeal to be. Not mentioning any names.

I don't know if I qualify as a true vaporist, but I've been at it a while and I do have multiple vapes. I've got 2 hoppers on order and I'm seriously considering a Focus as a conduction backup for those.

Does a true vaporist carry multiple vapes with him/her at all times? I never felt I had to do that with my previous portables.

 

[jivebuggered]

Second hopper to die in a week.
Whilst waiting for new body for ti hopper my spare ss has now died. Showing red and blue lights no heat.

Quick edit. Took hopper apart and cleaned. Not that there was anything to clean! And it appears to be working again.

Did you clean the positive terminal too??

 

[MoneyVapeTheWorldGoRound]

I don't know if I qualify as a true vaporist, but I've been at it a while and I do have multiple vapes. I've got 2 hoppers on order and I'm seriously considering a Focus as a conduction backup for those.

Does a true vaporist carry multiple vapes with him/her at all times? I never felt I had to do that with my previous portables.

I consider myself a true vaporist as well and I always have at least 2 vapes with me if not 3. I currently keep my Dr. Dabber Aurora and TI Vapcap with me at all times. I use the aurora for wax and when I run out or don't want to get as vaped I pull out the Vapcap. I usually only put rosin chips in the Vapcap because I try to squish all my fresh buds. I am currently awaiting my grasshopper which should be here soon and then I will probably carry around all 3. I currently have a carrying case from Dr Dabber that houses both of those vapes (including a lighter) and appears to have enough room for my Grasshopper. I just feel like you never know what type of situation you may be in once you leave the house so I am always prepared. I also am the only person I know who exclusively vapes ( I have convinced one buddy to buy a crafty and another to buy a Vapcap but they both have reverted back to smoking ) so I am always looking to convert more and what better way than multiple choices

 

[moondog]

I also consider myself a true vaporist as well and I always have at least 2 vapes with me if not 3. I currently keep my Dr. Dabber Aurora and TI Vapcap with me at all times. I use the aurora for wax and when I run out or don't want to get as vaped I pull out the Vapcap. I usually only put rosin chips in the Vapcap because I try to squish all my fresh buds. I am currently awaiting my grasshopper which should be here soon and then I will probably carry around all 3. I currently have a carrying case from Dr Dabber that houses both of those vapes (including a lighter) and appears to have enough from for my Grasshopper. I just feel like you never know what type of situation you may be in once you leave the house so I am always prepared. I also am the only person I know who exclusively vapes ( I have convinced one buddy to buy a crafty and another to buy a Vapcap but they both have reverted back to smoking ) so I am always looking to convert more and what better way than multiple choices

Huh, interesting. Well, the hoppers are certainly small enough that I could carry both. I'll have to examine that strategy further. Thanks!

 

[chillersnov8p]

You are definitely going yo need a back up stealth portable. A true vaporist has a back up for the back up. I've been reading about the flavor. I really like an all glass mainly air path. All the steel I'm not sure? I've had mainly steel ovens, it didn't appeal to be. Not mentioning any names.

I thought I was just being weird carrying two vapes haha. Grasshopper will make carrying two less bulky.