The Grasshopper

Madcap79 · Mar 13, 2015

If they are selling batteries at 'basically at cost' and have little profit margin, how can they possibly stay afloat and honor warranties? Especially if they are 'in the red' already as you speculate?

hi_there · Mar 13, 2015

I don't think they anticipate making money on the batteries, because the unit uses so much power I think they wanted to sell low-cost batteries to avoid people saying it was a money grab. I think that was smart.

I think they are hoping to make a big splash in the vapor market and earn money selling the units at the $175-$225 range. If it does what the videos and Buzz says then this will be the hottest portable out there.

Madcap79 · Mar 13, 2015

That's not the point. The point is, warranties are worthless if a company goes under. That's all.

zymos · Mar 13, 2015

Because (just guessing, but that's a time honored tradition in this thread), a lot of their expenses were one time costs. Also, a small profit margin doesn't have to lead to small profits.

Madcap79 · Mar 13, 2015

We shall see.

hi_there · Mar 13, 2015

zymos said:
a small profit margin doesn't have to lead to small profits.

Also if their first product does well, even if they don't make huge bank on it they will set themselves up as a major player in a major growing market. Making $30-$40 a unit does not sound like much but if you sell 100k of them, you are doing well.

zymos · Mar 13, 2015

I'm just gonna assume that if they've got this far, they also have a business plan that makes sense...

Madcap79 · Mar 13, 2015

Maybe they're using funds from their drone project.

PAZ · Mar 13, 2015

Madcap79 said:
That's not the point. The point is, warranties are worthless if a company goes under. That's all.

I think most people are aware of that, it's common sense. Is this comment really necessary besides trying to start an argument?

lwien · Mar 13, 2015

PAZ said:
I think most people are aware of that, it's common sense.

While I totally agree that it's common sense, there are a LOT of people that don't have that.

CarolKing · Mar 13, 2015

b0 said:
I really want to see more reviews and a comparison between this and the elevape.

For me the ESV has become the perfect portable vape after some tuning. Full conduction, amazing flavor, the vapor isn't harsh, big range of different temperatures... Just amazing.

If I hadn't bought it like 2 weeks ago, I will buy a GH just to try it, it sound really promising!

The Grasshopper and the Elevape would be like comparing apples and oranges. Too different to compare IMO, anyway by what we've read. The Grasshopper isn't a session vaporizer.

Shit Snacks · Mar 13, 2015

CarolKing said:
The Grasshopper and the Elevape would be like comparing apples and oranges. Too different to compare IMO, anyway by what we've read. The Grasshopper isn't a session vaporizer.

Are you sure about that? On demand convection portable, that's a fair enough comparison in my book. I think its Elevape vs Firefly vs Grasshopper (vs ye olde Thermovape)... Comparing to session conduction is not so fair though (even Air might be unfair to compare, see what I did there?)

CarolKing · Mar 13, 2015

We will know more once we have the vaporizer in the hands of more FC members. It's still speculation at this point. Nothing else to go on except for the one FCer.

EDIT
I guess I don't really know enough to even speculate, there's been so much info it's hard to know. I have tried the Elevape. I just know what I've read about the FireFly I don't own one.
I'm not trying to rain on anybody's parade. I know folks have high hopes and a lot of investment in this new vape.

BuzzDanklin · Mar 13, 2015

I got some new herb today, that is much much more dry. I loaded up a bowl, and gently loaded it until it was full without tapping/pressing it down. It ended up being .18g

Will be testing this bowl on Temp3/170c/338f

Edit: I took (4) 12-15 second draws in a row. With no pause in between. Even at the lower temps with 4 rapid draws the unit was starting to get warm on my lips.

The bowl was not done, but I decided to empty it for a photo, so here is how it looks now:

I have since re-loaded it and will continue drawing on the same bowl

Hippie Dickie · Mar 13, 2015

hi_there said:
but if you sell 100k of them

looks very possible, given Buzz's performance report, because they have the form factor nailed, based on the comments in this thread.

Shit Snacks · Mar 13, 2015

CarolKing said:
It guess we will know more once we have the vaporizer in the hands of More FC members. It's still speculation at this point. Nothing else to go on except for the one FCer.

Very true, and not to drag this out, just my ocd, but Carol, you do know that Elevape SV is not a session vape right? It turns on by your draw, that activates the coil to heat and you pull it over the load for 8 seconds --- pure on demand convection, like grasshopper but no power switch (which makes Hopper like Firefly too). Even without testing the Hopper I think we can agree comparisons of these 3 vapes are not apples to oranges, but fairly apples to apples (enough) yes?

Chill Dude · Mar 13, 2015

Madcap79 said:
If they are selling batteries at 'basically at cost' and have little profit margin, how can they possibly stay afloat and honor warranties? Especially if they are 'in the red' already as you speculate?

Volume! The revenue will come from selling a lot of units. Once the unit is out and the reviews are positive that will spur sales moving forward. I mean with the Grasshopper form factor.... there's not any competition. There are not any other pen vapes for herb out there as far as I know. Also, in general the initial manufacturing cost are much higher than subsequent manufacturing costs.

Additionally, I agree with @hi_there that the prices will probably go up significantly.. Maybe $200 IDK.. WTF do I know, but $200 seems reasonable to me for a well made herb pen in a market where there is not yet any direct competition for that form factor...

The bottom line is if the Grasshopper is well received by their target market, then they will be around for many years. If not, they'll be in trouble. I think they'll do fine, but I do understand your concern though. When you invest in buying a product from a start up company there are certain risks. Some are uncomfortable with that and won't buy and that's cool. The way I see it, the risk isn't that great... I mean we're buying a $100 portable vaporizer not a $50,000 car!

Snappo · Mar 13, 2015

BuzzDanklin said:
Edit: I took (4) 12-15 second draws in a row. With no pause in between. Even at the lower temps with 4 rapid draws the unit was starting to get warm on my lips.

Well, that would make it a session vape for me alone, and with a quick reload, it would make for a nice session vape for my friend. If the tip were expected to get uncomfortably warm on the 2nd go-round, easy enough to fit with the supplied mouthpiece. Definition of "session vape" works for me.

Madcap79 · Mar 13, 2015

Chill Dude said:
Volume! The revenue will come from selling a lot of units. Once the unit is out and the reviews are positive that will spur sales moving forward. I mean with the Grasshopper form factor.... there's not any competition. There are not any other pen vapes for herb out there as far as I know. Also, in general the initial manufacturing cost are much higher than subsequent manufacturing costs.

Additionally, I agree with @hi_there that the prices will probably go up significantly.. Maybe $200 IDK.. WTF do I know, but $200 seems reasonable to me for a well made herb pen in a market where there is not yet any direct competition for that form factor...

The bottom line is if the Grasshopper is well received by their target market, then they will be around for many years. If not, they'll be in trouble. I think they'll do fine, but I do understand your concern though. When you invest in buying a product from a start up company there are certain risks. Some are uncomfortable with that and won't buy and that's cool. The way I see it, the risk isn't that great... I mean we're buying a $100 portable vaporizer not a $50,000 car!

In the interest of honesty, I didn't back this vape nor do I plan on getting one. I just like conversation. I'll return to the shadows once again.

Shit Snacks · Mar 13, 2015

Snappo said:
Well, that would make it a session vape for me alone, and with a quick reload, it would make for a nice session vape for my friend. If the tip were expected to get uncomfortably warm on the 2nd go-round, easy enough to fit with the supplied mouthpiece. Definition of "session vape works for me.

Perhaps the first portable that is both dare I say?!

Chill Dude · Mar 13, 2015

Snappo said:
Well, that would make it a session vape for me alone, and with a quick reload, it would make for a nice session vape for my friend. If the tip were expected to get uncomfortably warm on the 2nd go-round, easy enough to fit with the supplied mouthpiece. Definition of "session vape works for me.

I agree with you. There's been a lot of talk on this thread about the Grasshopper not being considered a "session vape". And.. For some it may not be, but a lot of people will consider it a fine session vape. I'm not talking about group sessions, but solo sessions. If I can sit down with the Grasshopper and take 6 or 7 draws and get well medicated that's a session as far as I'm concerned. Other people might feel differently IDK...

Snappo · Mar 13, 2015

Shit Snacks said:
Perhaps the first portable that is both dare I say?!

I am a little disappointed that the pen doesn't hover or fly like a drone though ...I mean, the GH team ARE known engineers in the field aren't they?!!! And for the ungodly price :rofl:

(under $200.) they're asking, I would expect it to at least have a Titanium high-speed propeller!

mestizo · Mar 13, 2015

lwien said:
While I totally agree that it's common sense, there are a LOT of people that don't have that.

Yeah, common sense is not as common as people think.

Snappo · Mar 13, 2015

Snappo said:
I am a little disappointed that the pen doesn't hover or fly like a drone though ...I mean, the GH team ARE known engineers in the field aren't they?!!! And for the ungodly price (under $200.) they're asking, I would expect it to at least have a Titanium high-speed propeller!

Hmmm ...it seems I've spoken too soon...

fonzerelli · Mar 13, 2015

I call it uncommon sense

The Grasshopper

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Singer of songs and a vapor connoisseur

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Caveat Emptor - "A Billion People Can Be Wrong!"

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