Discontinued The Grasshopper

OF

Well-Known Member
I'm more concerned with the report that it's standby mode still significantly drains the battery...I hope they work on that.
Yep, I don't get that either... It's not a feature, it's a bug?! ;)

Actually I think it is a feature, least ways not an overlooked fault. It's doing what it's supposed to do.

As I understand the idea the heater comes up to temperature very fast since there's lots of power available after which it throttles back and holds that temperature (using less power than rapidly heating). it just has to make up for heat lost heating the unit (unfortunate but gonna happen) and so on. When air is drawn in, the heat tries to drop, this drop is sensed and more power is automatically added to maintain temperature. The temperature doesn't change, so the heat losses to the body continue at the same level, air heating just adds to the heater burden. Until you actually power off (or time out) power is dawn trying to heat the rest of the unit up to vaping temperature.

I can understand the short cutoff time I think, it kind of comes with the design?

OF
 

Old School

Vape13man
I'm more concerned with the report that it's standby mode still significantly drains the battery...I hope they work on that.
I have to say.... I'm left wondering what "standby" was actually intended to provide or do for us as a feature..? Was it is allow a 2nd user to take a draw without having to turn it back on.?

I'm just not sure I fully ever understood what it was even there for.... especially now that we are learning that the device {like most 100% conv} would be best operated 1 inhalation at a time....

Makes me wonder if the 18 seconds was meant to be a single inhalation timer.... interesting thought...
18secs = 5 sec warm up begin inhalation 12-13 secs if users is still drawing then they will cool the chamber once the heater kicks off..... now all that sounds like it may have been intended...that is until you discover there is a really cool ass sensor that can allow the heater to extend beyond the 18secs so then I'm back full circle.... wondering what do we really want standby to do for us...?
 

MoltenTiger

Well-Known Member
wondering what do we really want standby to do for us...?
It turns the device off if it is accidentally powered on. It's possible the switch creates contact with the battery and it slowly discharges. The batteries are small, both in size and in mAh, and can only do so much.

It has been said that this vape works best with healthy lung pulls, so if you want the good stuff you'll trigger the sensor giving you it for a good while and still thereafter it powers down.

Hold your judgement til you try it, errybody out there going nuts with lust
 

hippogriff

Well-Known Member
Still it's very telling that the grasshopper can't be used comfortably without the supplied silicon tip (that they didn't even want to supply), and that this tip can't be left on the grasshopper when stored in any of their three supplied cases. To me this is more evidence of poor planning, with more case redesigns to come.
Agreed, I think the most embarrassing part of the case deal is the timing for when they discovered the problem, gave me the impression cases came in and sat in boxes till really close to shipping time, before anyone got to checking their work. Falls in w/ the larger story running in my head that GH tried to engineer past a lot of work that more seasoned makers just accept. Why else would they expect to start shipping so quickly after getting newly made parts?
 

grokit

well-worn member
I don't personally use the silicone guard ever, unless I am using it with friends, passing and it and hitting it non stop. I think its perfectly comfortable to use a hit at a time with a short rest in between inhalations ( less than a minute) and its fine, besides if it is too hot that's why they have the guard so whats the big deal over a $5 accessory? Is anyone really surprised that an all metal vaporizer gets hot?
It's not a "big deal", unless you don't have it handy when the time comes to pass it around your friends. Now where did I put that silicon tip, it was just here in my pocket a minute ago, I wish it wasn't so dark!
 

hi_there

Well-Known Member
Still it's very telling that the grasshopper can't be used comfortably without the supplied silicon tip (that they didn't even want to supply), and that this tip can't be left on the grasshopper when stored in any of their three supplied cases. To me this is more evidence of poor planning, with more case redesigns to come.

I agree, personally I would like to see them include two for free.
 

Old School

Vape13man
The point I'm trying to make or possible suggest is that had or if they went with the less complicated "KISS" approach and simply didn't bother with this sensor business at all..... if that wasn't in the mix the unit would simply time out after the 18secs 5 of which are spent coming up to temp that leaving the 12-13secs for the beginning of the inhalation.....for those that continue to pull... they will not only keep the unit cool continuing their draw but they will also get a much nicer inhalation cloud as the extended time pulling out the excess heat affords for a much nicer smoother cloud.. do to that extra mixing that takes place {temperature equalization} so IMHO { H = humble} I believe had they kept it a bit more on the simple side.... omitting the sensor that's allowing it to fire up again..... all this talk of being too hot would likely be much much less for the average consumer.....

Allowing a convectional heat generator / source to continue to supply heat for too long of an extended time period... is going to most definitely make things too hot...... plain and simple there needs to be a cool down period factored into the equation..... and I'm referring to the actual inhalation equation :2c: :peace:

Loose the sensor... likely be seeing the too hot to handle complaints drop off but then we're likely to get a new compliant in place of...... "It sucks having to keep turning it back on for each and every hit" :shrug:
 
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Old School

Vape13man
Well that could be a way of course but if I were on the GH team and was asked to think out of the box...

I might be the guy that would suggest we change it up just a tiny bit.... keep the sensor but instead of having it enable the heater to continue.... how about we use it to sense the users inhalation and then start a timer that will shut off after a period of time..... {Inhalation Time}

Next batter up simply turns it back on and the process is repeated.... keep the dead man timer for those who manage to talk with it on in their hand... as long as they pick a nice average inhalation duration time or even better than that would be to make it user adjustable...but I'm sure something that cool would have to be planned to be in the next revision.....
 

RelaxedNow

Well-Known Member
Well that could be a way of course but if I were on the GH team and was asked to think out of the box...

I might be the guy that would suggest we change it up just a tiny bit.... keep the sensor but instead of having it enable the heater to continue.... how about we use it to sense the users inhalation and then start a timer that will shut off after a period of time..... {Inhalation Time}

Next batter up simply turns it back on and the process is repeated.... keep the dead man timer for those who manage to talk with it on in their hand... as long as they pick a nice average inhalation duration time or even better than that would be to make it user adjustable...but I'm sure something that cool would have to be planned to be in the next revision.....

With all due respect, and IMHO, maybe they should have just licensed the ESV's technology. It seems ithe ESV does what you've described, without the need for a power switch.

Or, it could be used as some have suggested.....mainly as a single-user device, with a pause between hits. IDK though, as I chickened out and didn't order a unit. I'm waiting until it's clear the GH works as it should, without a high defect rate.
 

grokit

well-worn member
So, in the end, would it have been better to take the Firefly approach; button press while drawing on the device, combined with an on/off switch to prevent accidental button presses?
Yes, and this would work even better with the gh than the ff because of more instantaneous heat. I pulled out my old firewood last week and was thinking that they should have gotten rid of the momentary switch completely on that one, because you have to lean on it for over 90 seconds before you can even draw from it if you want any vapor, and that's a really long time too hold a fucking button down. But I digress...
 

slcbdco

Brewer, Lobbyist, Vaporist
Sorry if already been asked...just started happening. Anyone else intermittently been getting the red/blue flash while it's heating up? I almost never use temp 5 and when this happens, it shuts itself off. First time it happened I was like oh great, here we go...another defective unit. But after cycling the switch, it resumes normal operation. As a matter of fact, I've been experiencing a number of odd happenings with this ti unit. Especially when trying to charge the damn thing.

I don't know about any other odd happenings but as for the red/blue warning lights it sounds like they are flashing when they are supposed unless what you mean is that you are getting them at low temps ("I almost never use temp 5 and when this happens, it shuts itself off." I could read that as "lights only come on when I use it at temp 5, OR It comes on whether i'm using it at temp 2, 3,4) assuming the first reading, I would think thats normal, assuming the second it may not be normal

@RelaxedNow "So, in the end, would it have been better to take the Firefly approach; button press while drawing on the device, combined with an on/off switch to prevent accidental button presses?"

In my opinion there is nothing about the Firefly that is better than the GH. I own both, bought my FF in February and I love(d) it. Amazing flavor, especially when you get the technique down right. In fact at the time my original pax had been broken for awhile and I had just gone back to bong rips and joints hoping the GH would come out "any day now" (I was a holiday backer). I bought the FF as a birthday present for myself and when my first one broke it actually inspired me to also send my pax in for warranty as well as I had been really glad to be reintroduced to vaping via the FF. It is an awesome vape.

However, in every category that I like the FF, the GH is better (Taste, Startup time, portability, ease of use, ease of maintenance).

I also got a pax2 to cure some VAS waiting for the GH.

I live in Boulder, CO i'm on a month long east coast road trip and am currently in Philly, I have my GH here (which btw is awesome for road trips) and my pax2. I even brought a bong and a dab rig.

I did not bring my firefly however. Before I got my GH, the FF was my go-to vape at home, I rarely took it anywhere but at home I used it primarily. I left it at home where I now, never use it and I don't miss it. For half the price the GH is twice the device ... hey that rhymes :-)
 
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OF

Well-Known Member
Lot of good discussion on the standby/power down topic I think. It's obviously not a simple nut to crack. There are, as others point out, many schemes in use by other vapes.......it's not a new or not to be expected issue.

So, in the end, would it have been better to take the Firefly approach; button press while drawing on the device, combined with an on/off switch to prevent accidental button presses?

Good thought and pretty common I think, 'press the button, the fire comes on, stuff gets hot'? It will, I think be slower than say a vape pen? There's a lot of mass to heat up (compared to other designs) so we're talking a couple seconds? The e-cig guys would never accept that I think?

Also such a power button doesn't fit in well with the rest of the design. It's basically 'screw machine parts' (all round in nature, made on automated machine tools at high speeds), there's no easy place to put the button. It would call for a pretty major redesign (and scrapping 'old style' parts.......which I suspect they have a pile of?). The case would need the button, the switch included in a no doubt already very crowded circuit board and assembly would be harder to do I'd think. We're pretty far down the road to consider this one?

With all due respect, and IMHO, maybe they should have just licensed the ESV's technology. It seems ithe ESV does what you've described, without the need for a power switch.

Or, it could be used as some have suggested.....mainly as a single-user device, with a pause between hits. IDK though, as I chickened out and didn't order a unit. I'm waiting until it's clear the GH works as it should, without a high defect rate.

An interesting idea, also probably hard to incorporate at this late date?

Actually I don't think there's really an "ESV technology" to license. That is I don't really see a (defensible) patent. They use an actual airflow sensor (rather than sense average heater current shift), but that part is a standard part from the e-cig world. All those cheap one with 'glowing ends' that mimic cigarettes when you hit them? Yeah, they use that same (very cheap in fact) standard sensor. Madvapes (or someone like them) sells the sensors for a couple bucks (they have 3 wires, I've got some somewhere). Why some of the 'flames' are blue I have no clue on.....

Likewise, those same cheap e-cigs use the same 'never really turns off' (no power stitch) that ESV uses. Again, no license needed.

I don't think, however, that GH will heat up fast enough for this technique. ESV's heater has very low mass (it's an exposed 'pancake wound' spiral of Ti wire) and is very close to the load. More over the load has a more attractive 'aspect ratio', that is ESV's load is short and fat rather than GH's long and skinny. This alone makes it slower to heat all else being equal. In fact, given the fact that the heater runs very hot (it's 'glowing red' in use) and is very close to the load, I bet there's also some IR heating going on in addition to convection. That means fast action, not possible in GH due to the configuration. We're married to a routine that includes 'turn it on, wait a few seconds, take a hit'. GH will just not be fast enough to rely on airflow to start up the cycle. By the time the vapor happens your lungs would be full or warm air?

I agree, it is basically a single user device. And probably a poor choice for a routine session vape. It's strength lies in a few quick hits. Much as many would wish otherwise (and may have been led to that opinion by early claims), I think this aspect (heat build up impacting extended use) was fated from the start. Our collective vape experience screamed 'this is too good to be true'.

While perhaps not optimum I think it's a 'workable' design for many. Some, unfortunately, will be disappointed by unrealistic expectations (where have we heard that before???) while others will find useful features to use against their individual requirements.......if they can ever get one......

IMO the GH guys have a LOT on their plates right now. But it sounds like they're directing resources in response to the problems, always a good sign. Hopefully we'll watch a timely recovery from what will come to be a minor stumble on the way to market? Be a great option to have for some when it's 'in stock, ready to ship'. Just because I haven't 'invested' yet, doesn't mean I won't jump into line to order one when the time comes.....even if the price is higher by then.

Regards to all. Those 'standing in waiting' and those of us watching those guys watching for the next update.......

OF
 

snamuh

ghost
I just made a post in the other thread... I've been scatter reading some posts. I don't really know what to think anymore. I was wondering if heavy usage is killing units... And if it is... I really think they could do alright marketing to light users.

I kinda think that would be cool to see...
Because with legalization and mmj happening I am hoping to see low dosages become 'normal' and being stoned not the goal. (I just mean more openminded ness in the weed community, how ever people use drugs is fine with me).

I hate my state.
 

Likes2vape

Well-Known Member
I don't know about any other odd happenings but as for the red/blue warning lights it sounds like they are flashing when they are supposed unless what you mean is that you are getting them at low temps ("I almost never use temp 5 and when this happens, it shuts itself off." I could read that as "lights only come on when I use it at temp 5, OR It comes on whether i'm using it at temp 2, 3,4) assuming the first reading, I would think thats normal, assuming the second it may not be normal


How is it normal for it to be shutting itself off at temp 5? If it is overheating and shutting off, that is a flaw! GH put temp 5 on the unit and if it is not usable, someone fucked up!
 

zymos

Well-Known Member
I don't know if I'd look at it as heavy usage is killing them so much as "you have X number of cycles before this fault manifests itself". (Not on every single unit, just those that eventually fail).

Then again, shit like back end just falling off, who even knows...?
 

sundaddy

Well-Known Member
Colored TI models
OSaR5H2.png
 

Bradhend15

Well-Known Member
Now don't get me wrong, this grasshopper is an incredible little unit. However, I thought I should go into more details with regards to the issues I've been having.
So to start, the clicking mechanism has already started to fuck up. Yup. Only took three weeks. I had a feeling this would happen. That style of mechanism isn't overly reliable in any application. So what's happening is when you press it to power the unit up, it sticks in. Then you gotta kinda pull it back up to get it to the fully out position. No problems with it sticking when turning the unit off however. I figure this is more of a result from a slight deformation from the back end getting so hot. I'm quite serious that sometimes the back end is hotter than the oven area after use. I have looked into this. Keeping the battery ends clean and the copper plate that the negative terminal rests on. I've tried cleaning the threads, and I've tried applying a small amount of electrical compound made for that purpose. Still doesn't seem to help.
So I took my fluke meter and measured the resistance from the back end to the main body. It's reading anywhere from 10-40 ohms of resistance. That not good. I did the same test, with the pen clip (which attaches to the back end) pressed firmly against the main body. Well well, like .18 ohms, and no heat at the back end. So now that's how I use it. I press the clip against the body.
I contacted Trevor, he managed to avoid the back end problems in his response, and only pointed on the issues I've had with the charger. Basically said keep the magnet and the back end clean, and if I was still having problems, he'd send out a new charger cable. Not really the answer i was looking for, but whatever. Lifetime warranty. Lol.
I confused people earlier about the red/blue lights and temp 5. What was meant is that I rarely use temp 5 so that was just to clear up the "well maybe it's overheating" question. I think I've used that temp maybe like 6 times in total. I personally prefer around temp 3.
Anyways, so even on a cold start up, this thing does the red/blue flash. Doesn't heat up, just flashes for about 10 seconds and powers itself off. Then I press the button again (well, twice) and it heats up fine. Seems very intermittent, but mostly when starting from cold. Annoying, but I'm dealing with it.
Lastly is trying to charge it. Sometimes once the ring snaps on, both the red and blue lights are going all "fuzzy", and it emits a ticking noise, not the noise of it heating up, though. Then ya take it off and do it again, and sometimes it works, or it'll do a double or triple red flash. Just weird shit. Hard to explain. I'm constantly checking on it to make sure it's still charging. Got look close though, cause if you blink you'll miss the very fast red charging blink. Lol.

Great vape though. :)
Sorry for the rant.
And also, is anyone else disappointed with how short the battery lasts? I'm only getting like 6-8 personal sessions per battery. Hopefully it's just the high current draw from my back end problem, but would like to know what other users are getting.
 
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syrupy

Authorized Buyer
Thanks for the details. I quoted the part that seemed the most troubling.

I figure this is more of a result from a slight deformation from the back end getting so hot. I'm quite serious that sometimes the back end is hotter than the oven area after use. I have looked into this. Keeping the battery ends clean and the copper plate that the negative terminal rests on. I've tried cleaning the threads, and I've tried applying a small amount of electrical compound made for that purpose. Still doesn't seem to help.
So I took my fluke meter and measured the resistance from the back end to the main body. It's reading anywhere from 10-40 ohms of resistance. That not good. I did the same test, with the pen clip (which attaches to the back end) pressed firmly against the main body. Well well, like .18 ohms, and no heat at the back end. So now that's how I use it. I press the clip against the body.

Nice workaround you found with the pen clip. I'd call it a "feature" but it can't be that, when customers discover these things. It would be good for GHL to pay attention to overheating issues with their product. Ignoring that could be disastrous. Enjoy, and stay safe.
 
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