Discontinued Hopper io

[RustyOldNail]

I find my IO is the easiest to LOAD of all my many devices. Probably because I use the “3D printed speed-loader”, sold on eBay. Loads and tamps my BCG medium grind perfectly every time. A scoop and funnel is the other way, still easy enough.

Unloading is as easy as well. I use the Delta3DStudio debowler with center toothpick. Doing so after last hit, the bowl is very clean, just use a brush to make certain. Herb can get stuck on many types of MP screens, so since you have to take the top off to unload, I blow out the tip, then brush the screen. When I’m done with the IO, I Qtip with ISO the load chamber and inner tip and screen, like new ready the next time I pick it up.

I won’t debate the negatives, but for functionality in loading and unloading, it’s probably the easiest device I’ve used.

 

[Spleeeno]

I find my IO is the easiest to LOAD of all my many devices. Probably because I use the “3D printed speed-loader”, sold on eBay.

sadly its not being sold on ebay anymore, if you're talking about the hopper feeder that is

https://www.ebay.com/itm/124065744867

 

[fogbank]

sadly its not being sold on ebay anymore, if you're talking about the hopper feeder that is

https://www.ebay.com/itm/124065744867

I had one of the Hopper loaders and experienced the same thing that I read about from others - over time it became so gummed up with resin and bits of herb that it stopped working correctly. I couldn't clean it thoroughly enough, and it ended up breaking when I tried to use ISO, external heat, etc... Eventually it became useless.

In contrast, the Delta 3D Studios mini Hopper funnel works great for me:

Grasshopper Mini Loading Funnel

 

[RustyOldNail]

sadly its not being sold on ebay anymore, if you're talking about the hopper feeder that is

https://www.ebay.com/itm/124065744867

That’s a shame. I have no problem keeping mine clean. It’s 4 parts, after a few full loads, take apart, brush, wipe with ISO, put back together. Works best if herb is not moist.

 

[Shit Snacks]

I find my IO is the easiest to LOAD of all my many devices. Probably because I use the “3D printed speed-loader”, sold on eBay. Loads and tamps my BCG medium grind perfectly every time. A scoop and funnel is the other way, still easy enough.

Unloading is as easy as well. I use the Delta3DStudio debowler with center toothpick. Doing so after last hit, the bowl is very clean, just use a brush to make certain. Herb can get stuck on many types of MP screens, so since you have to take the top off to unload, I blow out the tip, then brush the screen. When I’m done with the IO, I Qtip with ISO the load chamber and inner tip and screen, like new ready the next time I pick it up.

I won’t debate the negatives, but for functionality in loading and unloading, it’s probably the easiest device I’ve used.

Yeah, I have a funnel from Delta, along with a stand, I was using it more so for my OG with power adapter, to keep it in the stand, using the funnel to load, as it was all a desktop setup for me already. I have not really been using the funnel with my IO, or the stand, I just want minimal parts and accessories to use to load something that is supposed to be a small and quick to use device, yes I have scoopers, but they are not quite narrow enough to be perfect for loading the hopper the way they are for everything else I have, most of my other chambers are a bit wider diameter than the hopper... And yeah it's easy enough to poke a toothpick or whatever, but I stopped using toothpicks that way as much because I have so many other tools now, and yeah I don't know the way the herbs compact in the tube near the tip, it's kind of annoying, even though many other chambers have to be poked to be unloaded, just for me in my experience it is more annoying to do so in the hopper for sure... And yes it is easy to clean the screens, and keep them clean, with iso qtip, but again that is something I just don't like to have to do so often, and I feel like I have to do it extremely often with mine... These are good counterpoints though, I just had to mention my own counters of course lol

 

[RustyOldNail]

Yeah, I have a funnel from Delta, along with a stand, I was using it more so for my OG with power adapter, to keep it in the stand, using the funnel to load, as it was all a desktop setup for me already. I have not really been using the funnel with my IO, or the stand, I just want minimal parts and accessories to use to load something that is supposed to be a small and quick to use device, yes I have scoopers, but they are not quite narrow enough to be perfect for loading the hopper the way they are for everything else I have, most of my other chambers are a bit wider diameter than the hopper... And yeah it's easy enough to poke a toothpick or whatever, but I stopped using toothpicks that way as much because I have so many other tools now, and yeah I don't know the way the herbs compact in the tube near the tip, it's kind of annoying, even though many other chambers have to be poked to be unloaded, just for me in my experience it is more annoying to do so in the hopper for sure... And yes it is easy to clean the screens, and keep them clean, with iso qtip, but again that is something I just don't like to have to do so often, and I feel like I have to do it extremely often with mine... These are good counterpoints though, I just had to do my own counters of course lol

Your opinion and preferences are duly noted.....

 

[WhyAreWeWaiting]

Had a few og hoppers and when they worked they worked well and when they didn’t well it was a real pain to have them repaired and I eventually gave up . But besides all the negatives what are some cool things the hopper io offers over the original ? I just came across the opportunity to trade one of my on demand vapes for a hopper io . So I’m somewhat excited to get it & would love to hear some things you all like about it. My favorite thing was that they are super portable , stealthy and quick to extract . How many bowls per charge does everyone get ? Is it that much better than the original hopper ?

You obviously haven't read the thread. Both the GH and the IO are POS. They work for a couple of weeks until the performance drops rapidly. Forget about getting them repaired. Hopper don't even acknowledge it when you contact them for RMA.

 

[JBone65]

They work for a couple of weeks until the performance drops rapidly.

This sounds like a cleaning problem. They can become partially plugged in as little as one month.

 

[Mr. Me2]

You obviously haven't read the thread. Both the GH and the IO are POS. They work for a couple of weeks until the performance drops rapidly. Forget about getting them repaired. Hopper don't even acknowledge it when you contact them for RMA.

I’ll politely push back. I agree that too many people have non working gh’s. And I won’t try to defend the company cs. But I have 2 og grasshoppers that work just fine.

And that doesn’t mean I recommend a purchase. It just seems like a gamble…

 

[BaTou069]

I know they don’t have the best CS but how much time did it take for you guys to get a response? I’m waiting so long for them to send me their address or trade in instructions…. Xmas and new year is over what’s taking so long ?

 

[JBone65]

I know they don’t have the best CS but how much time did it take for you guys to get a response? I’m waiting so long for them to send me their address or trade in instructions…. Xmas and new year is over what’s taking so long ?

Did you open a warranty service request?

 

[WhyAreWeWaiting]

Did you open a warranty service request?

I opened a warranty request last October. I've sent numerous emails. All of them ignored. No reply whatsoever from Hopper. there is no lifetime guarantee. They are selling IOs without any guarantee. The only guarantee is that if you buy one it will break down after a couple of weeks, and Hopper will do nothing to fix it.

 

[JBone65]

I opened a warranty request last October. I've sent numerous emails. All of them ignored. No reply whatsoever from Hopper. there is no lifetime guarantee. They are selling IOs without any guarantee. The only guarantee is that if you buy one it will break down after a couple of weeks, and Hopper will do nothing to fix it.

I'm trying to think of a specific manufacturing defect which could explain the rapidly declining performance you described.

Based on your description, a partially plugged air path due to either a plugged heater screen or MP tip could explain the declining performance. Both are easily plugged with fines or resin. This potentially could be difficult to diagnose and correct.

Can you draw air thru it freely? It's my understanding that it can't make heat unless air is flowing thru it.

Edit: If you can't draw thru it, remove the MP and draw air thru the body and the MP separately to see which one is plugged. The MP to is easy to clean with a toothpick, gently to avoid breaking it off in there.

 

[Vaporific]

I’ll politely push back. I agree that too many people have non working gh’s. And I won’t try to defend the company cs. But I have 2 og grasshoppers that work just fine.

And that doesn’t mean I recommend a purchase. It just seems like a gamble…

I agree. Purchasing a Hopper is a bit of a gamble. More risky if it’s one’s only vape or if one has limited funds (this has been stated herein hundreds of times). What I’ve come to understand after many years owning one OG and one IO is that if you’re lucky enough they work well out of the gate they are susceptible to gumming up inside or behind the heating chamber. This is my observation. Of course usage and maintenance patterns vary.

My OG purchased in ‘15 and shipped 17 months later in ‘16 worked well for a year. Then it ran cold and I was getting ghost vapor pills (nary any vapor). It went in for a yearlong RMA in ‘18 and it came back working well. OK. During the RMA the IO was launching so I bit the bullet and bought one (both are Titanium BTW). The IO worked flawlessly for 15+ months and then the same symptoms as my OG. It turns out there was likely gummed up stuff involving the heating chamber. If you read above I brute-forced it out with pliers (which I DO NOT recommend!) bending the end of the heating chamber. I cleaned everything as best I could with the heating chamber removed and bent it back into almost ‘true’ shape and my IO is running very well again. For now.

So for me I’ve likely had gumming issues with the heating chamber. If a unit doesn’t work right off the bat it’s likely either a heater or backend issue (and poor quality control which has been well documented herein for both new and RMA’s units). If you have initial success there’s a possibility over time that performance may degrade like my OG and IO. So the moral of the story after 6-7 years of owning Hoppers is that it is still a gamble. Also, HL’s customer service is generally meh (some have had great experiences while others not so much). Again, you roll the dice with HL.

I love my Hoppers and grateful I was introduced to them as they’ve become part of my fave vape rotation when they work. I couldn’t imagine not having them however I’ll let them go eventually when they stop working altogether and move on. Nuff said without sounding like a broken record.

I’ll also add an interesting observation: someone above said they submerged the removed heating chamber in ISO and let it fully dry. They noticed particles loosened which is good. If one were to submerge the entire body (minus backend - that would not be good I think), wouldn’t that possibly help just a bit, even though there’d be no good outlet for free particles to exit? Just a thought and I would never do that even if letting it dry for days to insure it is indeed dry. I know light ISO swabs on the surface and in the chamber are needed regularly, which I do. Ok, rambled on enough for now. Cheers.

 

[JBone65]

I agree. Purchasing a Hopper is a bit of a gamble. More risky if it’s one’s only vape or if one has limited funds (this has been stated herein hundreds of times). What I’ve come to understand after many years owning one OG and one IO is that if you’re lucky enough they work well out of the gate they are susceptible to gumming up inside or behind the heating chamber. This is my observation. Of course usage and maintenance patterns vary.

My OG purchased in ‘15 and shipped 17 months later in ‘16 worked well for a year. Then it ran cold and I was getting ghost vapor pills (nary any vapor). It went in for a yearlong RMA in ‘18 and it came back working well. OK. During the RMA the IO was launching so I bit the bullet and bought one (both are Titanium BTW). The IO worked flawlessly for 15+ months and then the same symptoms as my OG. It turns out there was likely gummed up stuff involving the heating chamber. If you read above I brute-forced it out with pliers (which I DO NOT recommend!) bending the end of the heating chamber. I cleaned everything as best I could with the heating chamber removed and bent it back into almost ‘true’ shape and my IO is running very well again. For now.

So for me I’ve likely had gumming issues with the heating chamber. If a unit doesn’t work right off the bat it’s likely either a heater or backend issue (and poor quality control which has been well documented herein for both new and RMA’s units). If you have initial success there’s a possibility over time that performance may degrade like my OG and IO. So the moral of the story after 6-7 years of owning Hoppers is that it is still a gamble. Also, HL’s customer service is generally meh (some have had great experiences while others not so much). Again, you roll the dice with HL.

I love my Hoppers and grateful I was introduced to them as they’ve become part of my fave vape rotation when they work. I couldn’t imagine not having them however I’ll let them go eventually when they stop working altogether and move on. Nuff said without sounding like a broken record.

I’ll also add an interesting observation: someone above said they submerged the removed heating chamber in ISO and let it fully dry. They noticed particles loosened which is good. If one were to submerge the entire body (minus backend - that would not be good I think), wouldn’t that possibly help just a bit, even though there’d be no good outlet for free particles to exit? Just a thought and I would never do that even if letting it dry for days to insure it is indeed dry. I know light ISO swabs on the surface and in the chamber are needed regularly, which I do. Ok, rambled on enough for now. Cheers.

I've also considered removing the battery and back end and submerging the chamber in ISO up to the intake ports. Might use 91% ISO then warm it with a hair dryer to be sure it's dry enough.

 

[BaTou069]

Did you open a warranty service request?

Yes of course, I even have 2 open, original backer

 

[JBone65]

Yes of course, I even have 2 open, original backer

They used respond within a week or so after a new request was submitted. It might be difficult to keep mine working another 10-15 years if they've gone belly up.

My brother took a chance and ordered the SS io black Friday deal. It's been 6 weeks and he's still waiting.

 

[tryingtowin]

I agree. Purchasing a Hopper is a bit of a gamble. More risky if it’s one’s only vape or if one has limited funds (this has been stated herein hundreds of times). What I’ve come to understand after many years owning one OG and one IO is that if you’re lucky enough they work well out of the gate they are susceptible to gumming up inside or behind the heating chamber. This is my observation. Of course usage and maintenance patterns vary.

My OG purchased in ‘15 and shipped 17 months later in ‘16 worked well for a year. Then it ran cold and I was getting ghost vapor pills (nary any vapor). It went in for a yearlong RMA in ‘18 and it came back working well. OK. During the RMA the IO was launching so I bit the bullet and bought one (both are Titanium BTW). The IO worked flawlessly for 15+ months and then the same symptoms as my OG. It turns out there was likely gummed up stuff involving the heating chamber. If you read above I brute-forced it out with pliers (which I DO NOT recommend!) bending the end of the heating chamber. I cleaned everything as best I could with the heating chamber removed and bent it back into almost ‘true’ shape and my IO is running very well again. For now.

So for me I’ve likely had gumming issues with the heating chamber. If a unit doesn’t work right off the bat it’s likely either a heater or backend issue (and poor quality control which has been well documented herein for both new and RMA’s units). If you have initial success there’s a possibility over time that performance may degrade like my OG and IO. So the moral of the story after 6-7 years of owning Hoppers is that it is still a gamble. Also, HL’s customer service is generally meh (some have had great experiences while others not so much). Again, you roll the dice with HL.

I love my Hoppers and grateful I was introduced to them as they’ve become part of my fave vape rotation when they work. I couldn’t imagine not having them however I’ll let them go eventually when they stop working altogether and move on. Nuff said without sounding like a broken record.

I’ll also add an interesting observation: someone above said they submerged the removed heating chamber in ISO and let it fully dry. They noticed particles loosened which is good. If one were to submerge the entire body (minus backend - that would not be good I think), wouldn’t that possibly help just a bit, even though there’d be no good outlet for free particles to exit? Just a thought and I would never do that even if letting it dry for days to insure it is indeed dry. I know light ISO swabs on the surface and in the chamber are needed regularly, which I do. Ok, rambled on enough for now. Cheers.

I think we're the longest running IO vapes here haha..I'm wondering now because you had an issue and cleaned it out..mine has yet to do that..do you still run it per session? Try running it longer back to back without clicking it off..I may be on to something with my use..maybe it burns everything off and doesnt let the gunk build up to ruin it? I run my IO like a session vape and have had no problems since June 2020.

I also dont fiddle with the temp dial as much as I used to, Its still nice and smooth but don't wanna screw up the potential for it getting stuck and ruining the backend like my 1st IO backend..Still loving the IO and really hate that other's can't have ththe same reliability and experience..This is my favorite vape and hands down the quickest and easiest to use and load and clean..its such low maintenance it's crazy (obviously when it works)

 

[Vaporific]

I think we're the longest running IO vapes here haha..I'm wondering now because you had an issue and cleaned it out..mine has yet to do that..do you still run it per session? Try running it longer back to back without clicking it off..I may be on to something with my use..maybe it burns everything off and doesnt let the gunk build up to ruin it? I run my IO like a session vape and have had no problems since June 2020.

I also dont fiddle with the temp dial as much as I used to, Its still nice and smooth but don't wanna screw up the potential for it getting stuck and ruining the backend like my 1st IO backend..Still loving the IO and really hate that other's can't have ththe same reliability and experience..This is my favorite vape and hands down the quickest and easiest to use and load and clean..its such low maintenance it's crazy (obviously when it works)

I’ve always done single draws. Turn it on, draw for about 5 seconds, turn it off and keep drawing for a couple of secs to clear the vapor. Repeat. I often do back-to-back draws too and usually temp stepping half a dial unit in between starting at 2 and finishing around 3.5. I’m a native user too, mostly (I seldom use glass and external cooling though I do have those options). Sorry I still can’t copy quotes since I upgraded iOS to the latest version for some reason; I can select text to quote but can’t insert the quote (anyone else with this issue? Mods??).

I could try your method though I think I’d go to flashing lights quickly. On a full batt I might get a few draws on steady lights before it flashes. And that’s with new batts too I purchased a couple of months ago. One of them ain’t like the others however .

 

[Spleeeno]

My brother took a chance and ordered the SS io black Friday deal. It's been 6 weeks and he's still waiting.

it's always great when you make a sarcastic joke and it turns out to be true...

Discontinued - Hopper io

You can unscrew the heating element from the body to inspect it. How to do it?

fuckcombustion.com

 

[JBone65]

it's always great when you make a sarcastic joke and it turns out to be true...

Discontinued - Hopper io

You can unscrew the heating element from the body to inspect it. How to do it?

fuckcombustion.com

My heating element came loose accidentally after I let the MP threads get too sticky. Eventually, I hand tightened it. Tried to get it loose again recently to inspect the screen and elements but it didn't want to come loose. I'm only using my hands, and stopped trying when worried the chamber might collapse. Have considered using a small rubber "jar opener" to get better grip but haven't tried that. I'm guessing heat helps since resin could be acting like thread lock, mine was hot when it accidentally came apart.

I temp step but routinely hit it hard (15+ seconds for some steps) and finish each bowl with several at full temp. It gets hot, often! This is probably hard on the battery, it's usually ready for a charge when reloading.

Maybe this heat is helping prevent resin on the heater screen. Haven't seen any evidence after 16+ mos. I do routinely draw air thru the body immediately after emptying. I sometimes get additional fines out, maybe that helps too.

 

[David Root]

It would be best to try to get it apart when its HOT.

David

 

[WhyAreWeWaiting]

My heating element came loose accidentally after I let the MP threads get too sticky. Eventually, I hand tightened it. Tried to get it loose again recently to inspect the screen and elements but it didn't want to come loose. I'm only using my hands, and stopped trying when worried the chamber might collapse. Have considered using a small rubber "jar opener" to get better grip but haven't tried that. I'm guessing heat helps since resin could be acting like thread lock, mine was hot when it accidentally came apart.

I temp step but routinely hit it hard (15+ seconds for some steps) and finish each bowl with several at full temp. It gets hot, often! This is probably hard on the battery, it's usually ready for a charge when reloading.

Maybe this heat is helping prevent resin on the heater screen. Haven't seen any evidence after 16+ mos. I do routinely draw air thru the body immediately after emptying. I sometimes get additional fines out, maybe that helps too.

I have 2 IOs which heat up but not enough to fully vape the weed. No point in returning them for repair. They already have one since October that they haven't even acknowledged. After reading through your posts and others, I decided, with nothing to lose, to remove the screen in the chamber, give it a bit of a cleaning with Q Tip & ISO. Then immersed the entire chamber to cover the inlet holes in ISO. Left it for a few hours. Wiggled it around. Tiny bits of material started floating around. Kept changing the ISO and wiggling until there were no more flecks of material. Allowed it to dry out near a stove overnight. Fired it up today and it's working like new.

 

[JBone65]

I have 2 IOs which heat up but not enough to fully vape the weed. No point in returning them for repair. They already have one since October that they haven't even acknowledged. After reading through your posts and others, I decided, with nothing to lose, to remove the screen in the chamber, give it a bit of a cleaning with Q Tip & ISO. Then immersed the entire chamber to cover the inlet holes in ISO. Left it for a few hours. Wiggled it around. Tiny bits of material started floating around. Kept changing the ISO and wiggling until there were no more flecks of material. Allowed it to dry out near a stove overnight. Fired it up today and it's working like new.

Good news for a change!

How does it compare to whatever device you've been using recently?

 

[WhyAreWeWaiting]

Good news for a change!

How does it compare to whatever device you've been using recently?

Kind of feels like an old girlfriend that was fun at the start but then started giving me major grief. I eventually moved on after one RMA too many accompanied by bitchy service. Now she's come back into my life giving the impression she's back to the way things were when I first met her. But the trust is gone. I'm on edge waiting for her to get into her old bad habits again. My new GF the XMax V3 Pro is very nice and behaving herself very well so far. Also got a Mighty + which is not stealthy but very good at extraction and getting you ripped. I'm not expecting the good behaviour rom the IO to last very long. Did the same with the 2nd one and I'll try it tomorrow.