Does it need stirring if you half fill it and use it with a bubbler?
Can it be shaken to mix the herb?
If you were using a hydratube with the GH mouthpiece above the heater, is this more efficient due to herb falling closer to the heater?
I only ever half fill mine and a little bit of herb at the top usually is a little big lighter than the rest if I rip my grasshopper out of a bubbler. I'm usually too lazy to stir it but I'm sure you can just tap it and try to mix it up a little bit. It's the nature of a convection vape, I guess. It makes sense, since the herb closest to the heating element gets the brunt of the heat. I'll try it out tomorrow night (I won't be home tonight to try it) and get back to you on that one. A little side note: The amount that isn't as dark as the rest of the herb is such a minimal amount that if that's a deal breaker for you then, well, idk what to say about that. Out of .05g, we're talking maybe .001 doesn't get vaped as dark. It still gets vaped, but not as dark. Like literally just a few flakes at the top.
I have no experience with a hydratube, so I can't comment on that.
Hot back end = bad back end, submit warranty request, will have replacement in a week.
According to HL the backend is supposed to get a little bit hot. Not so hot that you can't touch it but still hot. Don't just go "Hey I'm ripping my grasshopper on the highest setting and the back end is a little warm. Warranty request!" No, it will heat up and it's fine. You'll know if there's a problem. It'll get ridiculously hot and it'll be obvious that it's overheating.