Discontinued Hopper io

jardri

jardri

Vapor Dreams
@Hopper Labs that sounds almost too good to be true!! If you can do everything you said no device in the market will be able to compete!! I hope from the bottom of my heart that you succeed in such an abitious enterprise. The only reason I dont own a GH is because reliability. Living in Spain it is really hard to justify a vape you have to send to USA every X months. Speaking of I have good electronics knowledge and have friends that are into this world too. If you need an RMA repair center in Europe maybe we can talk...
 
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Mr. Me2

Mr. Me2

Well-Known Member
Hopper Labs said:
Improvements Explained continued...

Heater:
• New Generation 6 (io v1.0)
From the very beginning, Hopper Labs has invested more time and effort into the design of the heater than any other aspect of vape. We firmly believe that the heating is core tech behind a great vape. That's why we have continued to push the bounds of what is possible. Generation 6 brings instant convection and represents years of effort to get to this point.

• Lowest draw resistance we have ever made (estimating 35% lower or more than originals)
A lower draw resistance allows you to move more air through the heater with less effort. That translates to more heat per unit/time applied to the plant material. Not only is the draw experience nicer for the user but the device can run for less time, saving battery life.


• Higher power (65w) and..........70w units
• New binning process allows Ti units to get 70w heater units!
The goal was no heat-up time, instant on! We were able to drop more power into the heaters and get to that level. Convection heater design is a complex business, overcoming thermal mass on heat up and transferring that generated heat directly to the air and nowhere else is challenging. A lot of time has been spent making these aspects industry-leading.

One aspect of the Grasshopper and now the Hopper io that is rarely discussed is the fact that the heater only ever reaches the maximum vaping temp set by the user. We do not use a coil of wire that gets to 1000s of degrees and rely on the air "mixing" to the correct average temp. We heat all the air to the perfect temperature in a constant stream. Not only are there health advantages to keeping that max temp of any part of the vape lower but it provides a more even and efficient experience.

• Heater design has been extensively tested and is highly reliable
Heater reliability was one of the biggest problems in the Grasshopper. Many of you will know that the heater was previously built by a 3rd party and starting in 2018, after many problems with them, opened an in-house production line. This has allowed us to rapidly make changes, however small to continually improve the reliability and performance.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the details!

Any chance you can give a battery update? Do you know/think there will be a delay due to the coronavirus?

I hope you guys are playing it safe and delaying your next trip there.
 
lookhigh

lookhigh

FC member
jardri said:
@Hopper Labs that sounds almost too good to be true!! If you can do everything you said no device in the market will be able to compete!! I hope from the bottom of my heart that you succeed in such an abitious enterprise. The only reason I dont own a GH is because reliability. Living in Spain it is really hard to justify a vape you have to send to USA every X months. Speaking of I have good electronics knoledge and have friends that are into this world too. If you need an RMA repair center in Europe maybe we can talk...
Click to expand...

Another vote here for a service center in Europe.
 
Vaporific

Vaporific

All who wander are not lost...
Hopper Labs said:
• Heater design has been extensively tested and is highly reliable
Heater reliability was one of the biggest problems in the Grasshopper. Many of you will know that the heater was previously built by a 3rd party and starting in 2018, after many problems with them, opened an in-house production line. This has allowed us to rapidly make changes, however small to continually improve the reliability and performance.
Click to expand...
indeed, I needed a new heater assembly for my lone pre order Ti. It has been running well since its repair so I do think you’ve gotten this down after bringing it in-house. I assume the RMAs are included as well as new units. PLEASE focus on quality control as this is the real test before something - new or RMAs - is shipped out. It’s better to catch the issues in-house before the customer does. This will go a long way to repairing and improving the reliability perception.

Looking forward to more updates from HL - and to using my Hopper in a few hours. TGIF to all. :leaf::peace:
 
rnartian

rnartian

Earthling flora is... fascinating.
Hopper Labs said:
Improvements Explained continued...

Heater:
• New Generation 6 (io v1.0)
From the very beginning, Hopper Labs has invested more time and effort into the design of the heater than any other aspect of vape. We firmly believe that the heating is core tech behind a great vape. That's why we have continued to push the bounds of what is possible. Generation 6 brings instant convection and represents years of effort to get to this point.

• Lowest draw resistance we have ever made (estimating 35% lower or more than originals)
A lower draw resistance allows you to move more air through the heater with less effort. That translates to more heat per unit/time applied to the plant material. Not only is the draw experience nicer for the user but the device can run for less time, saving battery life.


• Higher power (65w) and..........70w units
• New binning process allows Ti units to get 70w heater units!
The goal was no heat-up time, instant on! We were able to drop more power into the heaters and get to that level. Convection heater design is a complex business, overcoming thermal mass on heat up and transferring that generated heat directly to the air and nowhere else is challenging. A lot of time has been spent making these aspects industry-leading.

One aspect of the Grasshopper and now the Hopper io that is rarely discussed is the fact that the heater only ever reaches the maximum vaping temp set by the user. We do not use a coil of wire that gets to 1000s of degrees and rely on the air "mixing" to the correct average temp. We heat all the air to the perfect temperature in a constant stream. Not only are there health advantages to keeping that max temp of any part of the vape lower but it provides a more even and efficient experience.

• Heater design has been extensively tested and is highly reliable
Heater reliability was one of the biggest problems in the Grasshopper. Many of you will know that the heater was previously built by a 3rd party and starting in 2018, after many problems with them, opened an in-house production line. This has allowed us to rapidly make changes, however small to continually improve the reliability and performance.
Click to expand...
Hey! Are you guys gonna have any videos of the IO in action out before launch?
Also, what's going to be the price difference between the SS IO units and the Ti ones?
 
Vaporific

Vaporific

All who wander are not lost...
rnartian said:
Hey! Are you guys gonna have any videos of the IO in action out before launch?
Also, what's going to be the price difference between the SS IO units and the Ti ones?
Click to expand...
Video? I don’t know - instant heat up time and white lights are the main observable differences. Maybe they’ll make one and it’s easy enough but I don’t think there’s that much difference externally :2c:.

Pricing on the other hand, that’s something I’m more curious about and would like to know too. While it’s 420 daily, 4/20 will be here soon to buy another vape...;):peace:
 
rnartian

rnartian

Earthling flora is... fascinating.
Vaporific said:
Video? I don’t know - instant heat up time and white lights are the main observable differences. Maybe they’ll make one and it’s easy enough but I don’t think there’s that much difference externally :2c:.

Pricing on the other hand, that’s something I’m more curious about and would like to know too. While it’s 420 daily, 4/20 will be here soon to buy another vape...;):peace:
Click to expand...
That's true. I'm just thirsty for content. The first thing I look for when I see a new vape is a video :spliff:
 
Poostuff

Poostuff

Please delete
What are the differences between the two other than weight & cosmetics, is there some thermal blah blah science I need to know before I decide which is best for me?
 
Poostuff,
rnartian

rnartian

Earthling flora is... fascinating.
Poostuff said:
What are the differences between the two other than weight & cosmetics, is there some thermal blah blah science I need to know before I decide which is best for me?
Click to expand...
Between SS and Ti? The Ti is lighter, and I guess it would probably disperse heat better, since Ti heats and cools faster. Maybe someone who owns both will chime in?
 
Poostuff

Poostuff

Please delete
rnartian said:
Between SS and Ti? The Ti is lighter, and I guess it would probably disperse heat better, since Ti heats and cools faster. Maybe someone who owns both will chime in?
Click to expand...
I got a couple of Ti ones accidentally I think as replacements, they were definitely lighter I just can’t remember if they functioned differently.
All I remember is I preferred the weightier kinda premium feel of the SS.
 
Vaporific

Vaporific

All who wander are not lost...
rnartian said:
Between SS and Ti? The Ti is lighter, and I guess it would probably disperse heat better, since Ti heats and cools faster. Maybe someone who owns both will chime in?
Click to expand...
That’s pretty much it in a nutshell without going into scientific terms (which I’m unqualified to detail but it’s my general understanding from the first generation of Hoppers). I have Ti and I’ve never used a SS unit. Prior to my RMA the unit ran frequently hot - backend, frontend and body - usually trying to compensate for a faulty heating assembly. Even with different batteries and usually more prevalent when the batts we’re losing charge.

Post RMA going on 6 months now it runs much cooler, consistently and MUCH better, like new. Titanium might be more susceptible to drops and dents (I have a small dimple in the nose of the frontend due to a drop directly on the nose). No big deal and it adds a bit of character to my 3.5 year old Hopper.

Which reminds me... :brow::leaf::peace:
 
Hopper Labs

Hopper Labs

Manufacturer
Manufacturer
Front-PCB:
• Complete Board Re-design
• New layout for better power handling and efficiency
• Upgraded Automotive Grade CPU
• Increased board Copper Thickness
These changes help make the board more reliable and efficient. We are moving a lot of energy through the PCBs at a low voltage and that means that optimization is really important to efficiency. By lowering the distance power travel or widening the board traces or making the copper thicker we again get three benefits, more power at the heater, greater efficiency, and higher robustness.

• Added buck/boost regulation of LEDs for no flicker
• Total 3 LEDs now evenly spaced around the perimeter of PCB
The LEDs are totally revamped. We eliminated flicker and added 2 additional light sources to make the holes light up evenly. They look great, are easier to see.

• Added In-system-programming and testing at the board level
This change is mostly production but also allows easier troubleshooting and potentially faster repair.
 
Vaporific

Vaporific

All who wander are not lost...
Hopper Labs said:
Front-PCB:
• Complete Board Re-design
• New layout for better power handling and efficiency
• Upgraded Automotive Grade CPU
• Increased board Copper Thickness
These changes help make the board more reliable and efficient. We are moving a lot of energy through the PCBs at a low voltage and that means that optimization is really important to efficiency. By lowering the distance power travel or widening the board traces or making the copper thicker we again get three benefits, more power at the heater, greater efficiency, and higher robustness.

• Added buck/boost regulation of LEDs for no flicker
• Total 3 LEDs now evenly spaced around the perimeter of PCB
The LEDs are totally revamped. We eliminated flicker and added 2 additional light sources to make the holes light up evenly. They look great, are easier to see.

• Added In-system-programming and testing at the board level
This change is mostly production but also allows easier troubleshooting and potentially faster repair.
Click to expand...
I love the engineering mumbo jumbo though I’m not an engineer. I appreciate the LED enhancement update as this is something we can physically see. Internal and performance upgrades remain to be seen and the proof will be in the pudding. Kudos to improving the in-system programming to facilitate troubleshooting and hastening repairs which were problematic early on. Please don’t forget to improve the entire quality control process and catch issues before we customers do. I sense that HL has learned lots since the early days and hope the IO is successful without significant issues - it will go a long way. Not sure I’ll be buying one but I’m on the HL bandwagon again and in their corner.:peace::peace:
 
Hopper Labs

Hopper Labs

Manufacturer
Manufacturer
Thanks, everyone, for their input on the website. We very much appreciate the feedback. We have already implemented a bunch of changes from contributors and will continue to do so. The site is now public, and we will share the domain here first to get further feedback and testing. The io is available now for pre-order on the website. Those with reservations will be asked to select which unit they want and complete the balance payment within the next few weeks, with the discount of course (and lower ss price).

Shipping is slated for April and the order will be:

1. Reservations
2. Pre-orders
3. General orders, after shipping of pre-orders, is complete

Visit the site at: thehopper.io
(Your existing grasshoppervape.com account has been moved over for you)

Thanks for the support we look forward to perhaps getting a few units out early to the dedicated testing crowd.
 
Baron23

Baron23

Well-Known Member
Hopper Labs said:
Thanks, everyone, for their input on the website. We very much appreciate the feedback. We have already implemented a bunch of changes from contributors and will continue to do so. The site is now public, and we will share the domain here first to get further feedback and testing. The io is available now for pre-order on the website. Those with reservations will be asked to select which unit they want and complete the balance payment within the next few weeks, with the discount of course (and lower ss price).

Shipping is slated for April and the order will be:

1. Reservations
2. Pre-orders
3. General orders, after shipping of pre-orders, is complete

Visit the site at: thehopper.io
(Your existing grasshoppervape.com account has been moved over for you)

Thanks for the support we look forward to perhaps getting a few units out early to the dedicated testing crowd.
Click to expand...
So, why a separate web site?
 
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