Discontinued Hopper io

[Vaporific]

I couldn’t imagine running my OG or IO for two minutes. 5-10 secs max per draw and I turn it off and keep inhaling a couple of secs to clear everything. I often take back-to-back hits temp stepping along the way but I’d never keep the Hopper on that long. But if it works for some, fantastic! TGIF!

 

[tryingtowin]

I couldn’t imagine running my OG or IO for two minutes. 5-10 secs max per draw and I turn it off and keep inhaling a couple of secs to clear everything. I often take back-to-back hits temp stepping along the way but I’d never keep the Hopper on that long. But if it works for some, fantastic! TGIF!

I had the same thought. I used to turn it on and off but that got annoying to click it everytime passing it between me and the gf so we just keep it running and pass it back and forth..no issues I also don't let it get past a certain hand feel temp which is about 2 mins or so. We do this a few times a day without issue..but everyones device may not handle this so use caution

 

[RustyOldNail]

I couldn’t imagine running my OG or IO for two minutes. 5-10 secs max per draw and I turn it off and keep inhaling a couple of secs to clear everything. I often take back-to-back hits temp stepping along the way but I’d never keep the Hopper on that long. But if it works for some, fantastic! TGIF!

Yeah, might not be good to heat up the battery for that long either....

 

[tryingtowin]

The threads getting gummed up is inevitable im pretty sure as the OG did the same. Just dip a qtip and wipe it tightly with paper towel and it cleans up nice.

I remember seeing someone here post that they just turned the hopper right into their grinder to load it up, I remember trying this early on and noticing the threads gum up even quicker so i stopped.

I just use a business card folded in half and tap some weed onto it and tilt the card and slowly tap it in to fill it, once it's full i use the folded end to push it down a bit to feel the resistance and add a pinch or leave it as is. There's a sweet spot of where to fill it to get max use per load and have the (to me) perfect draw resistance for a nice feel, not too much air and not too much resistance. I'll have to measure that out on my scale as I've only done it by feel.

Now as far as grind its medium grind so fluffy enough to let air circulate properly vs a finer grind which i find kills airflow and changes the use slightly.

As far as hits per load. To be honest from everything I've seen and read here I'm either able to extract more from my own tolerance vs others or I like to use it longer than the avg person. So here's a rough use estimate. I'll load it and take about 4-6 hits and pass it to the gf and she'll take about 4-6 hits and pass it back. This goes on for 2 mins or so as the hopper works it's magic quickly. We get about 3 uses like this all together sometimes 2 uses with a weaker strain, but as I use quad strains these sessions can last longer.

So basically per load I get about 40-50 hits or so.. and this is all done on temp 5. I sometimes temp step but temp 5 works so well so quickly there's no point for me lol unless I'm feeling like i just want a small hit ill lower it to 3 or 3.5 and chill there for a bit

Nah I've used my old hopper this way too and exclusively on the IO for like 15 months daily lol..this is my own use..so everyone use at your own risk. I've also immediately taken the battery out multiple times over this 17 month triall lol and felt the battery temp to get an idea how hot it gets. It's always a comfortable warm temp and never anything even close to what I would consider dangerous.

Does anyone else use stealth silent hits? Basically at night laying in bed next to the gf the click can be pretty loud. So just use 2 hands to silently turn it on. Im right handed so i hold the hopper in my right hand and use the palm of my hand or thumb(depends on my mood) and just lightly hold it down just before the click takes over. It silently turns the unit on and you hold this silent click down until you finish your hit and release, all without ever clicking it! Rinse and repeat

 

[JBone65]

Does anyone else use stealth silent hits? Basically at night laying in bed next to the gf the click can be pretty loud.

40-50 is a lot even if in 3-4 sessions, but the amount sounds right. Who gets the first hit, on level 5?

Edit: I get more hits per load than most, 11 hits ending with 3 on level 5. No matter how many I get at lower temps, 3 hits on level 5 seems to finish it. I can finish a load in half as many hits, but the hits don't seem any better.

Not having an issue with clicker noise. Wish I was...

 

[tryingtowin]

40-50 is a lot even if in 3-4 sessions, but the amount sounds right. Who gets the first hit, on level 5?

Not having an issue with clicker noise. Wish I was...

haha yea i vape til i feel/taste its done also the vapor will come out less so it's obvious its done. The amount of hits when packed properly can last me alone all day basically spread out.

I'll do the 1st few hits always then pass it over. It finds a mellow smooth taste once it passes the 1st few initial hits

 

[Vaporific]

So basically per load I get about 40-50 hits or so.. and this is all done on temp 5.

That’s insane! I’ve not read of anyone getting that many, including @JBone65 who gets about 11 or so with his rigid temp stepping through the dial. 5 draws is about max for me and I don’t go above 4 except on rare occasions - and I’m a HUGE native user too. Maybe your unit is calibrated low to get 40+ draws per load? Wow. Even my OG gets 4-6 draws per load and then it’s done. My AVB ain’t black but dark enough that I know it’s done and there’s no more vapor.

EDIT: as for loading I still do so by hand, using my thumb and pointer finger as a funnel. I seldom lose anything. Can’t lose my fingers and they’re always there to hold and load. I use small jarvials to store my ground greens and they’re good for nearly every vape I own, and just wide enough to drop a glass stem in to suck-straw into the stem. I’ll post a pic soon. I don’t dip my Hoppers in for the thread issue noted above.

 

[RustyOldNail]

That’s insane! I’ve not read of anyone getting that many, including @JBone65 who gets about 11 or so with his rigid temp stepping through the dial. 5 draws is about max for me and I don’t go above 4 except on rare occasions - and I’m a HUGE native user too. Maybe your unit is calibrated low to get 40+ draws per load? Wow. Even my OG gets 4-6 draws per load and then it’s done. My AVB ain’t black but dark enough that I know it’s done and there’s no more vapor.

EDIT: as for loading I still do so by hand, using my thumb and pointer finger as a funnel. I seldom lose anything. Can’t lose my fingers and they’re always there to hold and load. I use small jarvials to store my ground greens and they’re good for nearly every vape I own, and just wide enough to drop a glass stem in to suck-straw into the stem. I’ll post a pic soon. I don’t dip my Hoppers in for the thread issue noted above.

I get two hits at 3 temp steps on average, TOTAL= 6-8, full bowl medium grind. ABV is dark brown. 40 hits a bowl, would love to see that video....

I normally use the mini hopper funnel to put two .1g scoops in, but recently been using the hooper 3D printed loader from the dude in Israel. It works amazingly well, perfect load level.

 

[Bnc1010]

Hi again, a not so positive update tonight.
Went to use my hopper io put fresh battery in twisted dial and back end fell apart, nothing broke just came apart, tried too put back together but no such luck. I’ve messaged hopper support so will see how things progress will keep updated hopefully get things sorted ASAP.

 

[JBone65]

Went to use my hopper io put fresh battery in twisted dial and back end fell apart, nothing broke just came apart

That happened to me about a year ago. Submitted a warranty request. They eventually mailed the new back end. I was down less than 3 weeks. I had to make a pipe out of a toilet paper roll...

 

[Bnc1010]

That happened to me about a year ago. Submitted a warranty request. They eventually mailed the new back end. I was down less than 3 weeks. I had to make a pipe out of a toilet paper roll...

Fingers crossed it’s a quick process for me also, vapman or woodscents till then, was just feeling like a hopper night tonight.

 

[RustyOldNail]

Hi again, a not so positive update tonight.
Went to use my hopper io put fresh battery in twisted dial and back end fell apart, nothing broke just came apart, tried too put back together but no such luck. I’ve messaged hopper support so will see how things progress will keep updated hopefully get things sorted ASAP.

This happened to me immediately after I received my 1st HL IO. I was in the process of doing some first run burn offs. My temp dial was VERY HARD to turn. I had read this entire thread, and remembered 2-3 other reports of the backend coming off. The first time, I was able to push it back in, but was concerned. A few minutes later, it popped out again. I thought perhaps it was “threaded”, and so I spun it out all the way. Not sure what “special tool” they use to compress fit the two parts together, but I was unable to do it. And it was obvious to me, it would just keep happening.

So I was unable to even try my new IO the day I received it, 1.5 weeks later I received the replacement backend. I immediately put 2-3 DROPS of “NANO OIL” on the temp ring, and moved it back and forth. My temp ring moves much better then the first one. I noticed that the others reporting the backend popping out, all said their DIAL was HARD to TURN. If you look at the photo below, while you can’t see the “split ring” that stays put in one end, it’s obviously a weak spot in the design, as it’s press fit on, and should never come off just by twisting the dial. Seems it doesn’t happen on every unit, but I assume they don’t have a better connection solution.

 

[JBone65]

So basically per load I get about 40-50 hits or so.. and this is all done on temp 5.

I finally tried a full load with only level 5. It was interesting.

It was easy and I got stoned with each hit, as usual.

Got what I think were 8 or 9 "good" hits. It was still producing vapor and THC, but the flavor dropped off.

I probably didn't do it right, might have wasted a lot by drawing too long on the first hit. The first hit was too intense, an intense terpenoid blast, then each successive hit tasted worse.

IMO temp stepping makes all the hits a little more equal.

I wish every hit could be a first hit on level 5....

 

[Poolride]

I have yet to soak my IO MP in ISO to clean!

NOTE: I only use the performance MP, as it does NOT have any hidden internal parts to get gunked up, and I find the standard MP the pen tip style, gets hotter faster on my titanium IO, and the performance tip immediately fits my 14mm female glass rigs. I also dislike the stock tips, narrow SET airflow restriction. I can have more restriction control by using various glass 510 TIPS from my ECig collection, many will fit the performance tip by swapping orings. These tips have various internal diameters I can choose from, thus restriction control by the user.

The performance tip is as simple as it gets, just the internal screen. Every few bowls, I use a 99% ISO Qtip, to clean both sides of the screen, as well as the internal threads on the MP. I do a similar thing with the load chamber, being careful NOT to SOAK the qtip, and keep the GH load side down, so no ISO can get into the heater section. Then a DRY qtip, and often let the IO run it’s 15 second timed turn off, so I’m sure the inside is bone dry. Also wipe the body’s external threads that connect inside the MP tip section.

The ONLY thing that is not accessible to clean is the heater section located below the load screen. I don’t want to remove that screen just yet. Someone in this thread posted a picture of how bad it can look under that screen as residual vapor holds and distributes RESIN over time, coating everything you don’t have easy access to. I do however ONLY use flower that is MEDIUM GRIND, using my LG BCG grinder, so there is a bit less smaller particles and weed dust that can fall through the relatively large load screen getting trapped in the body.

None of this is that time consuming, nor do I mind, as keeping my IO as clean as I can, will hopefully keep it in my hands, and not in a long repair queue.

Really want to thank you for this cleaning advice!

Absolutely worked wonders on my Hopper IO

I have yet to soak my IO MP in ISO to clean!

NOTE: I only use the performance MP, as it does NOT have any hidden internal parts to get gunked up, and I find the standard MP the pen tip style, gets hotter faster on my titanium IO, and the performance tip immediately fits my 14mm female glass rigs. I also dislike the stock tips, narrow SET airflow restriction. I can have more restriction control by using various glass 510 TIPS from my ECig collection, many will fit the performance tip by swapping orings. These tips have various internal diameters I can choose from, thus restriction control by the user.

The performance tip is as simple as it gets, just the internal screen. Every few bowls, I use a 99% ISO Qtip, to clean both sides of the screen, as well as the internal threads on the MP. I do a similar thing with the load chamber, being careful NOT to SOAK the qtip, and keep the GH load side down, so no ISO can get into the heater section. Then a DRY qtip, and often let the IO run it’s 15 second timed turn off, so I’m sure the inside is bone dry. Also wipe the body’s external threads that connect inside the MP tip section.

The ONLY thing that is not accessible to clean is the heater section located below the load screen. I don’t want to remove that screen just yet. Someone in this thread posted a picture of how bad it can look under that screen as residual vapor holds and distributes RESIN over time, coating everything you don’t have easy access to. I do however ONLY use flower that is MEDIUM GRIND, using my LG BCG grinder, so there is a bit less smaller particles and weed dust that can fall through the relatively large load screen getting trapped in the body.

None of this is that time consuming, nor do I mind, as keeping my IO as clean as I can, will hopefully keep it in my hands, and not in a long repair queue.

I have yet to soak my IO MP in ISO to clean!

NOTE: I only use the performance MP, as it does NOT have any hidden internal parts to get gunked up, and I find the standard MP the pen tip style, gets hotter faster on my titanium IO, and the performance tip immediately fits my 14mm female glass rigs. I also dislike the stock tips, narrow SET airflow restriction. I can have more restriction control by using various glass 510 TIPS from my ECig collection, many will fit the performance tip by swapping orings. These tips have various internal diameters I can choose from, thus restriction control by the user.

The performance tip is as simple as it gets, just the internal screen. Every few bowls, I use a 99% ISO Qtip, to clean both sides of the screen, as well as the internal threads on the MP. I do a similar thing with the load chamber, being careful NOT to SOAK the qtip, and keep the GH load side down, so no ISO can get into the heater section. Then a DRY qtip, and often let the IO run it’s 15 second timed turn off, so I’m sure the inside is bone dry. Also wipe the body’s external threads that connect inside the MP tip section.

The ONLY thing that is not accessible to clean is the heater section located below the load screen. I don’t want to remove that screen just yet. Someone in this thread posted a picture of how bad it can look under that screen as residual vapor holds and distributes RESIN over time, coating everything you don’t have easy access to. I do however ONLY use flower that is MEDIUM GRIND, using my LG BCG grinder, so there is a bit less smaller particles and weed dust that can fall through the relatively large load screen getting trapped in the body.

None of this is that time consuming, nor do I mind, as keeping my IO as clean as I can, will hopefully keep it in my hands, and not in a long repair queue.

Brilliant advice on cleaning the Hopper - best I've seen! Used it yesterday and really happy with the results.

Hopper IO is running very smooth after the clean & it only took a couple of minutes.

Thanks!

 

[vapviking]

I wish every hit could be a first hit on level 5....

Load in only as much as you can do in one and enjoy the ride. Use a few initial 'cigar puffs' to get things going. But this temp is more about intense cloudage that terp flavors, imo.
But ultimately a full bowl, even if extremely loose pack, will perform better than a partial.

 

[JBone65]

But ultimately a full bowl, even if extremely loose pack, will perform better than a partial.

I agree. Haven't even tried partial loads. Just sounds like more work and reduced efficiency.

 

[slozukimc]

So what are the cleaning techniques that are approved by Hopper that work? All I've seen them say is to use compressed air to blow out the chamber. I've tried that, and it doesn't work. As a retired electronics technician, I was confident enough to remove the screen and cleaning behind that. That also doesn't work. Many times I've asked John what's causing the repeated problems with my IOs. Is it component failure, design issue, user error, cleaning, etc? Never even get an acknowledgement to my query. That tells me they've something to hide.

Did you put more than one question in the email? John is terrible at replying to emails. I am so fucking sick of asking questions knly to be ignored and have another question answered.

 

[RustyOldNail]

(one person's data point)

@RustyOldNail - Timed charging from empty to full for you, using io mag cable and apple 12watt usb adapter:

1hr 50min

I like to velcro tape the Delta3Dstudios mag charging cable "stand" upon a paperweight, makes it more stable. Here's link for cube on left, $10

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078WXHGH4

@ChooChooCharlie
Thanks, I bought the black version, thin double face tape, added cable holder clip. Works perfectly!

 

[Vaping_Casual]

Classic update: Currently being borderline ghosted in the warranty portal. Had the back end issue akin to everyone else some time ago, sent it back, got it back in identical condition (disgraceful), and held onto it since. I initiated a warranty request in 2020, but let it sit for some time as they could sort out their QA. I sent the back end in 3 weeks ago along with two warranty portal messages from me to confirm delivery and tracking etc, but no response.

Per someone's suggestion, I emailed the support email directly with my information and issue and was told "to use the portal", despite explicitly discussing in my opening email that I had sent messages via the portal. Waited again and sent a follow up email in the same thread with the support email. We'll see!

 

[vapviking]

@Vaping_Casual
You're getting the mushroom treatment.
That's when they keep you in the dark and feed you a lot of shit.

 

[MoltenTiger]

I have heard nothing since the end of September from them. Excluding their promotional tripe.

They haven't responded to my recent RMA in their 3-5day window.

Pretty disappointing, but it can only get worse unless the product more drastically improves

 

[JBone65]

It's odd that some folks get reasonably good service and some don't.

From previous discussions, some of the warranty and SQ problems appear to be related to inventory issues with various Ti models.

Some other problems might be due to international shipping delays, regulations, etc.

Details are sketchy but I'm guessing some folks inside the U.S. are having problems with SS io's.

This is confusing, if true. HL has kept me in business for 5 years. All I did was use the device continuously and open warranty requests 4-5 times when failures occurred. Of course, my requests were business-like and friendly.

Would like to understand what causes HL to ignore a warranty request.

I've heard it said that HL doesn't reject any warranty claims, maybe this is how they do it.

 

[vapviking]

Group photo from a recent Hopper Owner's gathering.



I now have one gone bad. It's intermittent and, so, repeatedly disappointing. I am tired of 'testing' it against other hopper and multiple batteries to self-diagnose. I've got a back end and TWO bodies I can't sort out. I may not have the motivation to do this anymore, I'm 5+ years in and I've had countless rma's.

The competition has grown, HL is likely getting their proverbial lunch eaten by any number of competitors doing it better these days.
Next hurdle for me is resisting buying batteries (or worse!) on an upcoming Black Friday sale.

 

[JBone65]

HL is likely getting their proverbial lunch eaten by any number of competitors doing it better these days

I would like to know about any comparable alternative portable convection devices.

I suspect most of the devices being marketed are less satisfying than the io in terms of hit quality.

The Tinymight has been recommended by some io users. That should be a glowing recommendation, still not sure how satisfied I would be with it. It's not cheap at $259. Reliability is critical since no warranty is advertised, unless it's easy to diagnose and replace parts inexpensively.

Recommendations?

 

[David Root]

I have been on the fence about the hopper. It sounds like a nice unit.

I did buy an Xmax V3 pro. Similar to the hopper in size, a little bigger. Demand heat that works.

Not as pretty as the Hopper.

The hopper looks like a cool unit, but I have been reading this thread.......
David