jivebuggered
Well-Known Member
A pity about this devices durability, absolutely.
They're very aware of the faults users are experiencing, and they've done a good job avoiding discussing it.
Part of the problem, I assume, is that there has been ongoing design tweaks (@slcbdco mentions new back-end brains for eg., that effect power drainage. In an earlier post I explored how that could be causing issues, as firmware upgrades are not simple).
The device is complex and the overwhelming majority of faults are limited to very few symptoms. This actually means their QC/QA is reasonable for a device of this nature.
It seems they have transitioned from a powerful unit that commonly died after a short usage period to a finicky unit that doesn't offer consistent performance and still commonly fails, but only after a longer less satisfying usage period.
I really like the hopper but I would much prefer a consistent device.
I have experienced this with the hopper, I feel it's possible given enough time it will be like this again, but in the mean time it's not properly a desktop killer - which it has the potential to be.
There's not really much else that competes with the GH in theory, but in practice it's clear the theory hasn't been fully realised.
Until then, I think their lifetime warranty is as good as it was back in the day.
It's probable that Caroline is fed up with constantly solely dealing with an amassment of issues, and that will mean a bumpy transition expanding her department or training an alternate employee.
AusVapes, probably mostly alternate reviewers/peddlers, are much more interested in selling other more lucrative options than the hopper.
The hoppers only sales pitch is its effectiveness, which if another 15,000 devices need to be returned (It will be pivotal to observe the newest batch market reaction) could be rendered null.
So here's to hoping in 6 months >98% of the latest units are still going strong, otherwise without any external investment/stakeholders that's all she wrote.
PS. Their return details are as follows;
Hopper Labs
2775 Valmont Road #3
Boulder, CO 80304
BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR WARRANTY REFERENCE NUMBER. You can find this at the top of your warranty request page.
Well said and thanks for the info will post tomorrow. I think I will post just the heater section before they request I do, just because it takes so long. I notice Jeep have gone to 5 year warranty which theirs and other companies are offering these days but a bigger warranty isnt much use if its in repair shop all day. Guess Im saying lifetime warranty isn`t much good if its not in your hands to your satisfaction.