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Discontinued Hopper io

btka

Well-Known Member
I am a big fan of the grasshopper heating element, but not a big fan of the hot harsh vapor native (only have og hopper), but think it did not change with the IO. I remember I told hopperlabs that they find a good cooling solution for their IO, but they did not want... Also I am not a big fan of the pen style form factor they dedicated them too.

I would love a hybrid between heating element of hopper and a stem (like tafee bowle, which really cools the vapor) with a pot and the heating element above (like bowle). but smaller formfactor and replaceable batteries.... now I am thinking of making a frankenstein vape with bowle stem and pot and heating element of g hopper... ;) .. and the clicking of stem into "heater part" like bowle....

BTW have someone take apart (tear downed) the hopper.... I would like to take the heating element and build a different vape out of it, but I do not really have any clue about electronics and so...

for me the og hopper was only useable with bubblers and so...

really I do not get why they do not make other form factors, better cooling and so... as said I think they have most advanced heating element in my opinion but everything else is not intressting about this vape for me...

 

cliffhanger1

Well-Known Member
I would love a hybrid between heating element of hopper and a stem (like tafee bowle, which really cools the vapor) with a pot and the heating element above (like bowle). but smaller formfactor and replaceable batteries.... now I am thinking of making a frankenstein vape with bowle stem and pot and heating element of g hopper... ;) .. and the clicking of stem into "heater part" like bowle....

BTW have someone take apart (tear downed) the hopper.... I would like to take the heating element and build a different vape out of it, but I do not really have any clue about electronics and so...

a few weeks ago i disassembled a body because i wanted to see it. is very easy to unscrew and turn back together

 

vapviking

Old & In the Way
a few weeks ago i disassembled a body because i wanted to see it. is very easy to unscrew and turn back together

It once happened to me when I had left the front end on after a bowl and it got resin-glued to that heater module/capsule, so it all came out together when I tried to remove the front end. On mine, I believe that slim copper 'thread lock' had been farther engaged down onto the threads, and it came out broken into a couple of pieces, so I got a replacement body under warranty (at the time, it was easy).
Weeks ago your interest was in trying to service something in there? Did you learn anything in the process?
 

cliffhanger1

Well-Known Member
It once happened to me when I had left the front end on after a bowl and it got resin-glued to that heater module/capsule, so it all came out together when I tried to remove the front end. On mine, I believe that slim copper 'thread lock' had been farther engaged down onto the threads, and it came out broken into a couple of pieces, so I got a replacement body under warranty (at the time, it was easy).
Weeks ago your interest was in trying to service something in there? Did you learn anything in the process?
didn't really learn much. I wanted to see if there was something to clean and was curious about the technology.
afterwards i'm even more amazed how little technology can deliver such good performance.
But I also learned that it is actually not necessary, but also that it is very easy to unscrew and twist back together and it still works the same way.
and that I would only do it anyway if a body no longer performs so well, i.e. doesn't get so hot and you don't want to use the guarantee with this device anyway. maybe a little cleaning brings a lot of effect, I don't know. because i dont use the device but it works.
BUT I learned the most that you should NEVER NEVER NEVER use a pair of pliers for it . :lol:
 

btka

Well-Known Member
a few weeks ago i disassembled a body because i wanted to see it. is very easy to unscrew and turn back together

would be interesting to see the heater, it must be really small... and how it works... what it is made of...
BTW does hopperlabs have a patent on the heating element or so?
Wondering why other companies do not use this heater...

I think hopperlabs primary goal was to fit a vape in a pen... I am also not fan of pcb so near to heater is there not a posibilty of off gasing and also looks very dirty... and seems like there is soldering between pcb and heater also where air intake happens...
in my opinion they have a superb heater (heating technology) but I am not the fan of the pen formfactor ... i think you can make a much better vape with this heating element to be honest... and much better vapor cooling...
 

cliffhanger1

Well-Known Member
for me i wont have a another design for the hopper.. i love the pen style very very much:love:

But in the end the decisive factor is always the performance for me, and this i love at least as much as the design.
i wont to have any other style with this heat element .. for me it is perfect how it is:love:
 

west-elec

Well-Known Member
The form factor is all they've got now. 5 years ago it was the only device that could produce the quality convection hits, but today there are other options, TM and TB, even Vleaf go at that price. The unique pen form and sleek steel body are the only thing keeping this thing relevant today and it is the main thing that has caused them all the engineering problems. Hopper Labs is living a real life Catch 22, ditch the problematic design and they disappear. So they continue to walk the fine line between startup getting it's feet and dead man walking. I hope they get there I really do, but i just think the ultra compact steel body and all that heat equals diminished reliability and some things can't be fixed with design tweaks.
 

btka

Well-Known Member
The form factor is all they've got now. 5 years ago it was the only device that could produce the quality convection hits, but today there are other options, TM and TB, even Vleaf go at that price. The unique pen form and sleek steel body are the only thing keeping this thing relevant today and it is the main thing that has caused them all the engineering problems. Hopper Labs is living a real life Catch 22, ditch the problematic design and they disappear. So they continue to walk the fine line between startup getting it's feet and dead man walking. I hope they get there I really do, but i just think the ultra compact steel body and all that heat equals diminished reliability and some things can't be fixed with design tweaks.
I n my opinion I still think that hopperlabs heater is above of the others you mentioned... I saw fotos of open TB and the heater element and pcbs seem to be much bigger then hopperlabs... same with TM... also I think the heater of hopperlabs is more powerful then the TB (I have to draw longer for same clouds with TB). I think with the hopperlabs heater pcbs the TB could be much smaller... also the heating element of TM is much bigger then hopperlabs... But I understand they want use their tech in other formfactor, they still struggle to deliver the grasshopper...



I never understood why they limit them self to the pen form... it is not really discret, looks strange when someone draws on a pen... also I never understood the portability of hopper. It performed best with a bubbler or so because higher temps where you get really good clouds was always to harsh and hot so I used it mostly as a desktop vape at home... also would like it better with pots like TB much better to clean and load on the go... battery could be maybe a 18650 when they would not limit them to pen factor...

I am thinking of making another vape for me with the hopper heater and pcbs... but I am a total noob regarding electronics...
 
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invertedisdead

PHASE3
Manufacturer
I never understood why they limit them self to the pen form... it is not really discret, looks strange when someone draws on a pen...
Exactly, it's only discrete in passing, or at face value. It doesn't make any sense why one would be blowing "smoke" out of their writing utensil. I felt the same way about the Bowle, it's discrete sitting on a table but if anyone sees you using it they're gonna wonder what's going on.

Anybody remember the Puffit? The vape that looked like an inhaler? I always thought that was one of the most discrete form factors as it at least makes sense to inhale from it. It was full conduction though, so obviously it's gonna smell different from an inhaler 😁
 

MonkeyTime

Well-Known Member
The form factor is all they've got now. 5 years ago it was the only device that could produce the quality convection hits, but today there are other options, TM and TB, even Vleaf go at that price. The unique pen form and sleek steel body are the only thing keeping this thing relevant today and it is the main thing that has caused them all the engineering problems. Hopper Labs is living a real life Catch 22, ditch the problematic design and they disappear. So they continue to walk the fine line between startup getting it's feet and dead man walking. I hope they get there I really do, but i just think the ultra compact steel body and all that heat equals diminished reliability and some things can't be fixed with design tweaks.

I've been open and honest about my feelings about HL in the past. While I don't like to forget the past, I also can't ignore the present.

My problems with my GH's have not been present in my IO. It has performed consistently well with no hiccups other than the batteries. IMO, the batteries being very expensive, available from only HL and completely proprietary is the only snafu now.

It's size is still an advantage for me. The TM has a great form factor also and replaceable batteries, it's the closest thing I've tried to truly replacing my IO. I love my TB, but it's in no way as small or portable. While different, I think both complete with the IO evenly for vapor production and quality.

Truth is, my IO has had less to deal with than either of those two, but those were both first versions of the units, just the the GH.

I may still distrust and mostly dislike dealing with HL, but that's based on my old grudges, not how this IO has treated me.
 

Vaporific

All who wander are not lost...
Anybody remember the Puffit? The vape that looked like an inhaler?
I would argue the Fury2 and Fierce could pass as electronic inhalers. I got through concert security stating as such with my F2 and they didn’t even blink. But yes, the IO (and OG) have a unique and special form factor espousing stealthiness - to a point as you mentioned.

My TI IO is still running perfectly well going on 8 months next week. No complaints from me. And yes, I get agita having to deal with HL CS, both then and now (still ain’t great but a bit better). Cheers! :peace:
 

Trace

Member
I'm starting to lose my patience with this.

I opened the warranty claim at the top of the month give or take a few days and from there it seemed as if I was getting somewhere, the customer service agent and I were communicating for the first couple of days.

Then about 4 days later they give me the instructions to send it back, I do that within 24 hours. I send a message letting them know I sent it. I get a message over a 8 days later simply reading "Okay thanks."

Another 8 days has passed with no communication so I ask what the progress is on the device. It's been 5 days since I sent that and no response. At this point I'm getting really aggravated. I've been mostly going the month keeping my mind on other things to pass the time.

Is anyone else experiencing difficulty outside of of the colored Ti units?
 

btka

Well-Known Member
Exactly, it's only discrete in passing, or at face value. It doesn't make any sense why one would be blowing "smoke" out of their writing utensil. I felt the same way about the Bowle, it's discrete sitting on a table but if anyone sees you using it they're gonna wonder what's going on.

Anybody remember the Puffit? The vape that looked like an inhaler? I always thought that was one of the most discrete form factors as it at least makes sense to inhale from it. It was full conduction though, so obviously it's gonna smell different from an inhaler 😁
I find tafee bowle makes even more sense the the pen form...

most discrete would be something which resambeles a e-cig but not like this big ones with mods... in my opinion...
 

vapviking

Old & In the Way
I speculate that they are busy on "a build". There are probably still only the 3 of them doing assembly, repair, and everything else for that matter, and now they are apparently producing for the year-long backlog of color ti orders.
This is no excuse, of course, for ignoring anyone but it's the kind of thing that's happened in the past. The team springs into action putting out the fire at their feet, ignoring for a time the burning embers they walk away from.
 

invertedisdead

PHASE3
Manufacturer
I find tafee bowle makes even more sense the the pen form...

most discrete would be something which resambeles a e-cig but not like this big ones with mods... in my opinion...

But you can't put the Bowle in your pocket! :D

The Bowle form factor always reminds of the VaporCup!

10856_vaporcup-photos-11.jpeg


I remember people used to do this with their Solo's too, stuffing it in a cup and sticking the stem through, like a straw.

And I absolutely agree that an ecig look is a convincing one. I like the Dotleaf form factor a lot.
 

btka

Well-Known Member
But you can't put the Bowle in your pocket! :D

The Bowle form factor always reminds of the VaporCup!

10856_vaporcup-photos-11.jpeg


I remember people used to do this with their Solo's too, stuffing it in a cup and sticking the stem through, like a straw.

And I absolutely agree that an ecig look is a convincing one. I like the Dotleaf form factor a lot.
Haha... With the battery Life of bowle you do Not have to worry about If IT fits in you Pocket... But without Cup... And stem and Puck dissasembled IT should fit in your Pocket...
 

stickstones

Vapor concierge
I got my Ti Green io today. So they're starting to go out. Mine is a super light olive green. I would call it barely green. Too close to the ss for my preference. They could have done something spectacular with the green, and this is super subtle.

Testing should be fun! Got this and a package from Simrell on the same day, so I feel pretty classy today!
 

Trace

Member
I speculate that they are busy on "a build". There are probably still only the 3 of them doing assembly, repair, and everything else for that matter, and now they are apparently producing for the year-long backlog of color ti orders.
This is no excuse, of course, for ignoring anyone but it's the kind of thing that's happened in the past. The team springs into action putting out the fire at their feet, ignoring for a time the burning embers they walk away from.
That's understandable but they definitely have to hire someone for the customer service communications or something. Many people I know by now would have just told their banks the company didn't send the item and keep it moving.

I'm not going to do that, however I would like a working unit especially after giving them the benefit of the doubt and getting more accessories back when they were responsive.
 

vapviking

Old & In the Way
I got my Ti Green io today. So they're starting to go out. Mine is a super light olive green. I would call it barely green. Too close to the ss for my preference.
I had a green ti og hopper, same story of faint color, not even that easy to distinguish from non-color ti or ss.
Hope it hits to your liking.
We assume this is not your first ride on a grasshopper?

EDIT;
Just had to share that NY State went legal today! :clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:
Today the governor signed the billed that was passed yesterday.
I'm 70 fucking years old. :myday:
It's about time. :leaf:
I'm certain more people will get medicinal benefit from this measure, but I also hope it leads to more folks just chilling the fuck out. ✌️
 
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Vaporific

All who wander are not lost...
Just had to share that NY State went legal today! :clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:
Today the governor signed the billed that was passed yesterday.
Congrats! I’m a native NYer but living next door in MA for 30 years. It is about time - and should be every state (we’re slowly getting there). Maybe your governor could use a little himself, lol.

Not that I’m ordering another IO anytime soon but would love to hear from those with colored units and seeing how those are doing. One would hope their performance and reliability matches the plain TI version. Mine’s a 10 so far for 8 months - no complaints! :peace:
 

stickstones

Vapor concierge
I had a green ti og hopper, same story of faint color, not even that easy to distinguish from non-color ti or ss.
Hope it hits to your liking.
We assume this is not your first ride on a grasshopper?

Dang...I should have done a little research on it first. I love the color of my OG blue Ti.

This is my third now? I had both ss and Ti versions of the original. Just went with anodized ti this time, since I never used my ss. So far, the mouthpiece gets just as hot as the original, unfortunately...
 
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