Discontinued The Grasshopper

[Baron23]

Yes, please clarify what "v3" is. I too am looking for backup portable, not table top. My Fury clone works wonderfully but it was a 'replacement' for my Hopper which went into RMA purgatory the day I got my Fury. Effectively, it's my only working vape at the moment and my Pax needs too much work and likely an RMA as well (I liked the Pax for a bit but cleaning it, especially keeping it lubed, was a pain given the heavy use).

While I'm in no rush and would love to say money is no object, I don't want to break the bank on a second regular and rotational vape with a major expense looming later this year. I'm considering the Arizer ArGo, Davinci Miqro, HealthRips Fierce and perhaps one or two others. I'm still researching this and listening to many of you.

As for HL, I've stated before they're underwater and overwhelmed in most conceivable ways. I hope the stay in business long enough so we all get our RMA'd units back working as good as new. TBD. Again, when the Hopper works well, it works well - but many have experienced inconsistent performance, poor customer service and - indeed - cryptic, middling and sparse communication at best.



I hope you meant to say "back from RMA purgatory", lol. I'm wondering if I coined the phrase herein several months back however nevertheless, purgatory is not where I nor my Hopper would like to be...

Well, no....I had them in RMA purgatory and then finally got them back...both run very cool and are IMO not worth wasting flower on.

I'm just slowly girding my loins (always wanted to use that phrase! haha) to send them back in yet again for....yes, another round in purgatory.

Cheers

 

[slick]

.

While I'm in no rush and would love to say money is no object, I don't want to break the bank on a second regular and rotational vape with a major expense looming later this year. I'm considering the Arizer ArGo, Davinci Miqro, HealthRips Fierce and perhaps one or two others. I'm still researching this and listening to many of you.

I heard one or two negative things about the fierce. Nothing instantly damming. Seemed like it was underwhelming.

Ive not looked into the miqro. Have you heard any comparisons to the hopper? Edit :nm, I see its conduction My use necessitates convection.

 

[grokit]

I still have my 1st-edition green ti unit, was going to send it in again over a year ago but they wanted me to hit it with compressed air and I never followed up. It's already been rma'd 3 times and I've only had 2-3 months total use out of it. I originally bought it in Nov '15 for for $152 shipped. From reviewing recent posts I would probably still be waiting to get it back anyways. Sounds like things are grim, so I doubled down

I don't like to stir, and I like convection, so for me it's a working hopper or my mighty. My mighty's always worked. I love my homemade stem vapes but don't rely on them, like I don't rely on my bag blowers, flame-powered vapes, even my old ssv requires stirring etc. I like my plenty, dab rig, and cartridges a lot. I've had the best luck with german and us-made vapes, stay away from the cheap imports so here we go again.

Hopper labs is offering $20 off ti vapes for a day and promises to ship with "new version 5 internal hardware" for the next 23 hours or so with code 20Ti. I figure they have to ship me something, since paypal is their only payment method they don't want to alienate them. Fingers crossed this one works more reliably.

Plus maybe they'll actually fix my old one for continuing to support them. C'mon everybody let's resurrect this company everything's gonna be coming up roses for sure now. ~$100 more than my green one no color this time but maybe, just maybe they're not full of it this time about the new version 5 internal hardware.

Like phoenix, rising from the ashes hopper labs will rise up...
Okay I've been away from this thread for a year or two now, has it really been that bad?

 

[MoltenTiger]

gotta share some love for the TUBO

My second-hand TUBOx has proved to be a worthwhile purchase. It's different, but it's very quick to heat up, hits nice, tastes good, no glowing coils, good heat distribution (not great like the hopper, but not as bad as the EQ/StemPod). Stirring is basically optional, and I don't bother - I find it annoying.

It tends to using smaller amounts quite well, where as the hopper takes quite a bit of herb (especially if its running cool). The TUBO can tolerate less or more.

Certainly a good option to consider when it comes to portables. It's a well designed, very neat product.

It's signature is much like the EQ I found, probably because of the elbow packing method I opt for. But, it really outperforms my old EQ in terms of ABV evenness, and maybe even with cloud density.

Great for convection bong hits. It's not an ultra-portable like the IQ or Hopper, but it travels well.

The StemPod is nice too, has a good effect and is user repairable (note I fixed my TUBO too), but the typically glowing coils and the heater geometry/design/size is poor compared to the TUBO heater.



Good to see a @grokit post here again.
It wasn't too bad an idea putting the GH away for this epic RMA stint, but I would suggest you probably would have had it returned by now. The jury is still out on how the turnaround with the RMA goes though - some have had problems still. Really, as much as things change they have stayed the same. Just with a lot more waiting involved. This hasn't settled well, people were mad about the pre-order waits, and well, my RMA has almost turned into a longer ordeal than that was for me.

I'm still waiting on my RMAs and now engraving from the end of 2017 - and have suffered radio silence for a few weeks now, which reflects terribly.

At this stage I just hope they do rise up. That's what I've been hoping since the get go, perpetuated by nearly always having a working device between all the problems (the latest one I have from April 420 sales has been perfect). I've been as lucky as I have been patient and it's paid off, but it's a strange situation, and if they do rise up it will be a rare and epic story.

There's obviously a lot that's untold - such as how they have managed to keep banking with PayPal. That must be a testament to their device certification.

The 3D printed heater is the heart of the hopper, and they've had lots of trouble with it amongst many other problems. We must be due a company update soon.

Until there's something that can truly replace the hopper, I will continue to put up with the realities of owning a few. I'd say it's easily worth it, but it can be tiring and painful if you focus on it. So keeping yours tucked away out of service was a fine idea. It's only really problematic for the end user if they become reliant, and that is simply a byproduct of how unique this vape is and how expensive alternatives are. The GH is genuinely irreplaceable and that's the only reason anyone should still care about it. The realities of how it gets delivered and repaired is a sad story, but the resilience of the team is definitely impressive and worthy of admiration. It's been a great project to support for that reason alone. Sure, there are flaws to how they operate, but the fact they still are operating is nothing short of impressive. And 233 days later my 420 hopper still impresses me as much as ever. Without the best bit of a year of hopping behind me, I'd certainly be fed up and using other options. I can only suggest it's still worth any ordeal to get a hopper, if a hopper is what you want, nothing else is similar enough

 

[Hammahead]

Okay I've been away from this thread for a year or two now, has it really been that bad?

Just subtract the page number of your last posting here from the page number this thread has reached now. Assume that the majority of postings did not praise the reliability of the product and the flawless customer service of Hopper Labs.

Got my Splinter couple days ago and after a short learning curve I got really nice clouds almost instantly, loved it on one of my water pieces. Day three the glue between the glass and the wood gave up and the glass came loose. Interesting last century tech inside. Returned it to the seller for warranty. Bummer. Only down part so far is that it almost inevitably requires stirring. Plus I would only use it with a cooling mouthpiece or thru water but that applies to the Hopper as well.

Still happy with my RMAd Hopper since summer 2018. I give it the occasional BLU-TAC treatment and use a Deoxit wipe on the threading and the conductive areas once a month, plus I only screw in the back end a bit, not entirely. I fiddle around with that until it makes the chirping cricket noise and the back end doesn't get hot, so I get decent clouds and can do 4-5 bowls with one battery. Dial at 5 is perfect for me, though I guess lot of Hopperistas wouldn't agree as they prefer a darker roast. The new Hopper I bought last year will do the same on a little below 4, so I feel fairly optimistic to have a running unit for a long time although there's always this slight feeling of a Sword of Damocles above the whole scenery.

I had hoped the SplinterZ would be a full replacement but for me it really isn't. The sheer power comes close or even excels, but the Hopper is working more even and doesn't burn my herbs once I have the correct setting. So here's to hoping Hopper Labs will survive the mess, even though I feel they fncked up enough to deserve to vanish from the market. They have put their survival before their customers just way too often for me to actually still sympathize with the company.

 

[Hogni]

I'm with you, looking for that new vape.

Someone had mentioned a v3? Is that a supreme v3?

If your question regards to my post, I wrote SV3, that's indeed the Supreme V3.

 

[DelaSheck]

Just subtract the page number of your last posting here from the page number this thread has reached now. Assume that the majority of postings did not praise the reliability of the product and the flawless customer service of Hopper Labs.

Got my Splinter couple days ago and after a short learning curve I got really nice clouds almost instantly, loved it on one of my water pieces. Day three the glue between the glass and the wood gave up and the glass came loose. Interesting last century tech inside. Returned it to the seller for warranty. Bummer. Only down part so far is that it almost inevitably requires stirring. Plus I would only use it with a cooling mouthpiece or thru water but that applies to the Hopper as well.

Still happy with my RMAd Hopper since summer 2018. I give it the occasional BLU-TAC treatment and use a Deoxit wipe on the threading and the conductive areas once a month, plus I only screw in the back end a bit, not entirely. I fiddle around with that until it makes the chirping cricket noise and the back end doesn't get hot, so I get decent clouds and can do 4-5 bowls with one battery. Dial at 5 is perfect for me, though I guess lot of Hopperistas wouldn't agree as they prefer a darker roast. The new Hopper I bought last year will do the same on a little below 4, so I feel fairly optimistic to have a running unit for a long time although there's always this slight feeling of a Sword of Damocles above the whole scenery.

I had hoped the SplinterZ would be a full replacement but for me it really isn't. The sheer power comes close or even excels, but the Hopper is working more even and doesn't burn my herbs once I have the correct setting. So here's to hoping Hopper Labs will survive the mess, even though I feel they fncked up enough to deserve to vanish from the market. They have put their survival before their customers just way too often for me to actually still sympathize with the company.

I have a preorder for the Splinter V1 and am hoping the same thing you were. The form factor is not even close. I wish there was a mod box that had the 510 attachement on the side so it wouldn't make the unit so tall.

 

[grokit]

Good to see a @grokit post here again.
Thanks !

(the latest one I have from April 420 sales has been perfect)
That's very good to know.

Until there's something that can truly replace the hopper, I will continue to put up with the realities of owning a few. I'd say it's easily worth it, but it can be tiring and painful if you focus on it. So keeping yours tucked away out of service was a fine idea.
Yes maybe when it does get fixed again, it will be with the upgraded parts.
(maybe I should wait a bit longer lol)

The GH is genuinely irreplaceable...

Sadly yes this is the case for me. Their blog has a lot of practical info, I will study it and subscribe to all current best practices. I try and baby my vapes anyways, am not always successful but I try...

I had hoped the SplinterZ would be a full replacement but for me it really isn't. The sheer power comes close or even excels, but the Hopper is working more even and doesn't burn my herbs once I have the correct setting. So here's to hoping Hopper Labs will survive the mess...

This. I love my splinter and iheat but life's just not the same without a working hopper.

 

[Vaporific]

Well, no....I had them in RMA purgatory and then finally got them back...both run very cool and are IMO not worth wasting flower on.

I'm just slowly girding my loins (always wanted to use that phrase! haha) to send them back in yet again for....yes, another round in purgatory.

I stand corrected then. I wouldn't waste material in them either. I thought about poking the bear and asking them for an update, but since I sent mine in for RMA in mid September I'm sure I - and they - have a ways to go and my Ti will be in hibernation, er Purgatory, for a while. I hope they stay solvent until then. We'll see...

Just subtract the page number of your last posting here from the page number this thread has reached now. Assume that the majority of postings did not praise the reliability of the product and the flawless customer service of Hopper Labs.

I wondered that too a few months ago and posited herein: the most recent posts were - and remain - largely negative. I'm too hungry to re-hash it all but, indeed, not a lot of good news lately herein.

If your question regards to my post, I wrote SV3, that's indeed the Supreme V3.

Thank you! I'm still doing research Now I gotta eat!

to all...

 

[Vapor_Eyes]

I’ve not been a fan of how Hopper Labs operates, although I have been more tolerant than many. I was especially encouraged when they started sending out monthly status updates last summer. It seemed like they started making progress again after bringing more manufacturing in house.

Unfortunately they quit sending out those updates in the fall, which I find very worrisome. To me it suggests a lack of progress in the speed of manufacturing and possibly even the overall reliability of the Grasshopper.

My hoppers are still going strong and get used multiple times a day. I rarely use water but I almost always finish at temp 5 so I do not baby them at all. I don’t clean them that often either. I use them a lot at home even with more powerful vapes available, just because of the sheer ease of use and convenience. It is a great vape to use while cooking or doing chores since it can be operated one handed.

I needed a new mouthpiece for my Ti hopper and in typical HL fashion it was both a good and bad experience, and kept some hope alive for the company’s success while at the same time giving me some concern. They shipped my order right away, within a day or two. When I received it, they had sent a Ti PFE instead of the standard front end. I sent them an email and heard back within a day or two, they told me to keep the PFE and they would send out the right part.

I think it’s a good sign that they are shipping parts promptly, and they responded to my issue quickly as well, which is also good news. However, it worries me they are still making basic mistakes, don’t get me wrong I understand one or two, but given the history of the company you would think they would be triple-checking every order at this point. It’s nice getting a free PFE but at the same time it’s another case of HL messing up and losing money in the process, which doesn’t bode well for their future.

I’m hoping we get an update soon. The worst part is not knowing anything, especially after getting regular updates.

 

[newVaper420]

I, for one, am over it. My hopper runs incredibly hot, I don't go above a 2. I don't need to or want to send it back. If it completely breaks, then I'll send it back, but as of right now I use it very sparingly. I've just accepted my loss.

LOL

 

[mephisto]

Found it interesting that about 3 weeks after HL sent me a completely unordered SS hopper, they followed up with a duplicate shipment of 3 batteries and a new PFE. I don't get it.....Since I am currently on a t-break, I plan on handing over all of my GH heartache to someone else. Adios you finicky little bastard, love to hate you.

 

[Vaporific]

Found it interesting that about 3 weeks after HL sent me a completely unordered SS hopper, they followed up with a duplicate shipment of 3 batteries and a new PFE. I don't get it.....Since I am currently on a t-break, I plan on handing over all of my GH heartache to someone else. Adios you finicky little bastard, love to hate you.

Why can't I get that lucky? Someone else above recently got something they didn't order. Vapes and accessories from heaven, er Purgatory. Lots of confusion, more so than usual, emanating from there recently. I wonder what they do all day?

But I do miss my Ti. Someone earlier mentioned one-handed operation. So true. And easy. It's funny, I never ran it above 4 and found the sweet spot between 3.7-3.9 and the backend got hot often the last year. It is a wonderful device - when it works consistently well. My unit's operation and experience was hardly consistent.

 

[Zow237]

Brand new ti just dropped and i will be testing it so i can send back the 4 useless bodies and a backend that i have. atleast they threw in a battery since they cost 14 bux. Hoping this one works for more than a couple times of use. I have given up hope though. Hoping a "brand new" hopper fixes my issues

 

[Shit Snacks]

Ah shame to still see the woes in here, had been waiting to send my old SS from the very first preorders (been replaced a couple times) since the backend was hot and to get the latest latest all around. But I take it that that is still an arduous process then?

I guess I should try it out again to see how it works, been a long while so I dono about my batteries though... Clearly I don't rely on it much at all, so I could handle a long RMA wait, but is it really so frustrating? Am I better off using til it quits than dealing with potentially running too cool or hot issues? If they just send a brand new one I'd probably be fine I take it, but would they even do that?

Don't want see GHL go the way of Haze, even though the Square did not turn out to be the Hopper killer I expected they were a nice company... We lost Elevape too and Firefly needs V3 finally now lol

Meanwhile I have a new FocusV Aero that seems quite nice for only $130 or less, not on demand but for session style convection I am pretty impressed so far though it is still early... Their upcoming Focus1 also seems pretty promising after trying the prototype briefly.

But yeah, I now have a SplinterZ on a Realeaux Gen3Dual that is phenomenal despite size, need to try it with proper temp control on my Realeuax dna250 too though that will prob fit better with a regular Splinter (using it with an iHeat for now). Also have to sing the Tubo's praises as an amazing allarounder...

In my experience these all sacrifice on portability, but for the best possible performance. I still think the GH could be a real winner if it didn't have to be a fucking pen lol. An original design could be super stealth without the various issues... But until then I will just keep using oil cartridges for those situations when convenience and simplicity are called for out of the house

 

[Vaporific]

Well, I poked the bear and sent HL another message asking about my pre-order Ti currently in RMA. They last responded the end of November so I thought I'd nudge them a bit. Their last reply included, "Your Hopper will be returned with new and improved Version 5 parts." Yeah, yeah, yeah - V5 is supposed to fix everything. We shall see. I believe many herein recently had mixed experiences with their RMA but I'm holding out hope - and holding my money as I won't give HL any more of mine. Except possibly for batteries, but I do hope I get a properly working Hopper though. I do miss mine but if it comes back less than optimal it goes in the trash and it will be clean break(-up)...

 

[vapviking]

Ah shame to still see the woes in here, had been waiting to send my old SS from the very first preorders (been replaced a couple times) since the backend was hot and to get the latest latest all around. But I take it that that is still an arduous process then?

The process itself is painless, especially if in US. They're still pretty cooperative about agreeing to fix your piece. A couple of times they've sent me a new back end based on my story, and I then returned the old one(s). On another case recently opened, they've agreed to send a new body and I'll return the old. I do believe I may wait nearly forever for it. But it's not really an 'arduous process'! I've done it at least 12 times.
One fine day, I hope they return.
Atm I have 1 working, 2 in service limbo and technically, 2 others. I had given those to my 'kids' back when my pre-order was filled, Aug. '16. Both stopped working within a couple of weeks, but neither has been registered or rma'd yet. I'm now resolved to recall them and open the process on them. Can't hurt, maybe better than sitting in a drawer. Maybe someday I'll have a full-on Hopper infestation.

There's been one thing I've noticed as consistent with the Grasshopper. Every one I've used for more than a couple of months has eventually suffered noticeable draw restriction that I'm unable to clear. I have stopped short of alcohol-soaking up to the air holes (I think that's usually reserved for some other malfuntion).

 

[Vaporific]

When you have just one unit like me, it's a bit different experience - it's all or nothing. Glad several worked for you albeit the RMA process. We talk about main parts - body or backend being problematic, and frontend too; there are just those three excluding the internals - and I'd swear the body needed replacing when my pre-order Ti started exhibiting poor pulls at the same temp range I've always used. This went on for almost a year using new (version 2) batteries and older ones too that had plenty of capacity (and two crappy ones out of the box - I number them so I know which is which) - essentially year two of its life; year one was very good overall and I stopped using the silicone too since I nearly lost it several times and it was stretching out a bit from use and heat. The reason I mention it is because I think I was able to draw harder with it than without - and that might have done something to the body. It's conjecture at this point but it could have been the backend. So year two was very inconsistent and not gratifying enough.

Then the unit would NOT turn on at the end before I sent it in, so that's definitely a backend issue.

As for cleaning, I only tried the 'ISO up the holes' once when I got it and swore I'd never do it again. And didn't. I regular brushed everything with a wide interdental brush (they work great!) and occasionally soaked the fronted end in ISO and sparingly used ISO on a q-tip to clean out the chamber. I also blew through the air hole downward into the chamber to clear any debris. That's it and all regularly too. I never cleaned threads with anything but would love to try Blu-Tac if/when it comes back in working order...

And keep in mind it was essentially my daily (and mostly) only vape for most of that time. And now it's in Pergatory - the whole thing. So no asking for spare parts, body or backend, for me though I wouldn't have been sure what to ask for nor will I give them any more money. I'd rather put it toward another vape, lol.

Happy Sunday and weekend to all.

 

[Cheesequake]

My SS is all but dead as far as vapor production goes. Just opened up my 6th warranty request (for this specific hopper.)

 

[Vaporific]

My SS is all but dead as far as vapor production goes. Just opened up my 6th warranty request (for this specific hopper.)

Sorry to hear. Mine was similar in that vapor was hard to come by though I’m not a big cloud chaser. But knowing clouds could be produced is the central tenet here. Still no response from HL to my recent inquiry about my pre-order Ti in RMA. The bear still sleepeth...

 

[MoltenTiger]

Sorry to hear. Mine was similar in that vapor was hard to come by though I’m not a big cloud chaser. But knowing clouds could be produced is the central tenet here. Still no response from HL to my recent inquiry about my pre-order Ti in RMA. The bear still sleepeth...

I never heard back anything from a few emails and RMA messages over Dec/Jan, but I got thrown an email with tracking details for one of my 2 RMA's, and I later discovered an order is marked as shipped with the same tracking. I guess I might get both RMAs back with some batteries, not sure.

Seems like these guys are really running off a skeleton crew atm.

It sucks, both Sublimator and Grasshopper are in wacky states right now, and nothing else compares.

 

[Hammahead]

nothing else compares.

if you don't mind stirring and a certain learning curve while using it, the Splinter Z which I recently bought is growing on me. It's such a powerhouse so it's producing big clouds in a few seconds, but I'm way more likely to combust. Maybe looking out for a programmable mod (I got me a 30 Euro thing which does the job) to get a more carefree experience but after just a few days of intensively using it, I pretty much got the hang of it. It's got some key qualities of the Hopper: super fast, super powerful, totally up par when it comes to microdosing, swappable batteries to charge in a professional charger. It's larger and probably not right for on the road when it comes to stealth, which I don't mind.

 

[MoltenTiger]

if you don't mind stirring and a certain learning curve while using it, the Splinter Z which I recently bought is growing on me. It's such a powerhouse so it's producing big clouds in a few seconds, but I'm way more likely to combust. Maybe looking out for a programmable mod (I got me a 30 Euro thing which does the job) to get a more carefree experience but after just a few days of intensively using it, I pretty much got the hang of it. It's got some key qualities of the Hopper: super fast, super powerful, totally up par when it comes to microdosing, swappable batteries to charge in a professional charger. It's larger and probably not right for on the road when it comes to stealth, which I don't mind.

Yeah I have dabbled with 510 vapes, and I am not really sold on the concept yet.

The Splinter Z looks really solid, and I would have bought one had they had international postage available on launch. Though, the VAS has passed.

My TUBOx I would say is a beyond ample 510 vape, and I guess the upcoming G43 is pretty similarly decent.
But, 510 threads are just not a great end solution. It 100% feels adhoc and it has been more troublesome for me than GH ownership. Right now, my TUBOx is reporting that it's shorted out. The StemPod, I replaced the coils with the included spares, which aren't clapton and just aren't nearly as good. My Box Mod some Jaybo RX300 4 bay thing just is a pile of crap to navigate and dial settings in. Swapping vape units is beyond painful. The combination of massive watt hours and a lack of heatsinks has rendered my temperature control all but fucked. Sometimes it can work, but it's all off resistance and microelectronics so obviously there is component damage, just as I've seen with the GH.

And the thing is - I do mind stirring, I hate combustion but I like to be within the scope of it, just always missing (my v4 GH hasn't done this, it just vapes very nicely, where as the Sublimator properly brings things to target temp and the difference is a nice one, ideally I want a portable with that power but I just don't think it's truly possible, the GH being ultra portable is good enough anyway. But the sub is something else.)

The beefy 510 solution are solid enough emergency back ups, they do have a nice punch. But it's just not really quality vaping. The GH I get uniform ABV, the Sublimator defines uniform, and the 510 vapes are a bit of a gradient story, though the TUBO is not so bad.

Until someone else offers something with good R-value material surrounding the herb chamber, a set-temp high surface area complex heater, no stirring needed, fast charging, battery swappable, no fuss vape slide for my bong, I have no choice but to continue using the Grasshopper - which offers all that in a truly enjoyable session. You know, as long as they keep ticking. That is the list of things that made people disbelieve the GH, including myself early on. I never backed it. It's a list that is unlikely to be checked off anytime soon.

 

[Mr. Gweilo 420]

I rarely stir with my Z and Vapefiend have stock I have the Z on top of a Paranormal and it is definitely for home use but I rate it and the GH as different but equally good.

 

[MoltenTiger]

I rarely stir with my Z and Vapefiend have stock I have the Z on top of a Paranormal and it is definitely for home use but I rate it and the GH as different but equally good.

yeah, I bet with the right pack and technique it can do pretty good things.

I need to get a new mod to properly use my 510 devices, when they're dialled in they can be pretty awesome. Just always have had something go wrong