Discontinued The Grasshopper

[OF]

I wonder if that would attract investors.

From what I understand of Venture Capitol types, "no way, Charlie". They send experts to examine what you've got then demand a LOT for their money. I'm guessing HL wouldn't pass muster as a company and would never accept the offer if it came. This is 'smart money', they want to make a big old profit and take the smallest risk possible.

Must be pretty attractive to somebody, because I guarantee without some kind of financial backing they wouldn't still be in business.

You mean like selling more and more units as fast as they can? Even as the field returns stack higher and higher. Selling overpriced glass, like that?

In the real world, a single return can wipe out the profit from a pile of good units sold. And here, that pile has a bunch more rejects sure to come back to roost.

From the distance it seems a lot like what they have Barney Madoff in 'the big house' for. WFIW while he's sentenced until he's 230 years old, he could get time off.

One can always hope someone who knows how to run a manufacturing business will come along on his white charger and save the day, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Sad, really.

OF

 

[Cheesequake]

You mean like selling more and more units as fast as they can? Even as the field returns stack higher and higher. Selling overpriced glass, like that?

Nah. I don't believe the meager sales from the few people in the community who either don't know about hopper labs reputation or don't care have been keeping them afloat this whole time, and it isn't like they do any advertising outside of the community so that's probably not the case either. I don't feel like looking for it but I'm pretty sure I've seen someone from HL say they've had outside financial backing. And even if I hadn't seen that I'd still bet my grasshopper that they have

 

[OF]

I don't feel like looking for it but I'm pretty sure I've seen someone from HL say they've had outside financial backing.

I don't doubt that there may be a sugar daddy somewhere, even 'family money' of one of the principles. Many companies start that way. Perhaps most? I am saying that Venture Capitol is not it. Outside investors have LOTSA places to invest their money. When I was involved in this area, the rule was they're looking for 40% return on their money in the first year. They aren't going to be true believers who are dedicated to the idea of Hopper. They'd just as easily invest their money in anything that had more promise of return on investment.

The 'bean counters' will look at the books (cost of goods sold, retruns as a percent of production and so on) and advise staying way clear I'm betting. They are not fools, or they'd be broke already.

There's another option, hire an experienced, proven, manager. And give him/her conntrol. They're no doubt way past seriously considering that. Unfortunately.

I've seen this movie first hand, as part of the cast.

I wouldn't advise buying HL stock, even at deeply discounted prices.

OF

 

[JCat]

Nah. I don't believe the meager sales from the few people in the community who either don't know about hopper labs reputation or don't care have been keeping them afloat this whole time, and it isn't like they do any advertising outside of the community so that's probably not the case either. I don't feel like looking for it but I'm pretty sure I've seen someone from HL say they've had outside financial backing. And even if I hadn't seen that I'd still bet my grasshopper that they have

Be careful ... that's an expensive paper weight you are gambling with!

 

[Cheesequake]

Be careful ... that's an expensive paper weight you are gambling with!

I've got 2 that work great actually

 

[Vaporific]

I wouldn't advise buying HL stock, even at deeply discounted prices.

Or as a consumer not invest any or very little additional money in them, e.g. avoiding overpriced and superfluous new accessories, until the ship is righted.

Just not enjoying my loaner Ti like I used to enjoy the Hopper when I first got mine. Draw resistance is much harder than my Furies and there’s little vapor production. Perhaps it’s the batteries or my lungs but the latter are in pretty good shape. Just not an enjoyable experience with any regularity or as a main vape, even for those like myself who gravitate to portables.

Happy Monday and beginning of the work week to all...

 

[OF]

Just not enjoying my loaner Ti like I used to enjoy the Hopper when I first got mine.

Just not an enjoyable experience with any regularity or as a main vape, even for those like myself who gravitate to portables.

Several good points including the two above.

Most think of vapes as tools I think, their value is in producing dependable vapor as expected. Not as something else to fuss over, but rather to enjoy. This one seems prone to random and unexpected failures/disappointments?

I too favor portables, both from a practicability (useful in more conditions) and technical POV. I find vapes that perform well within the constraints of size and available power more interesting. Like catching trout on light tackle. In a way that cord with 'Bolder Dam' on tap seems somehow cheating.

Fortunately for us, Capitalism is in play here, more and more offerings are showing up in the marketplace as time goes on. Some, like say Solo/Air/ArGo soldier on, but useful alternatives are coming to market with exciting regularity. We've plenty of alternatives to pick from, more arriving 'all the time'.

Regards to all.

OF

 

[Vaporific]

Several good points including the two above.

Most think of vapes as tools I think, their value is in producing dependable vapor as expected. Not as something else to fuss over, but rather to enjoy. This one seems prone to random and unexpected failures/disappointments?

I too favor portables, both from a practicability (useful in more conditions) and technical POV. I find vapes that perform well within the constraints of size and available power more interesting. Like catching trout on light tackle. In a way that cord with 'Bolder Dam' on tap seems somehow cheating.

Fortunately for us, Capitalism is in play here, more and more offerings are showing up in the marketplace as time goes on. Some, like say Solo/Air/ArGo soldier on, but useful alternatives are coming to market with exciting regularity. We've plenty of alternatives to pick from, more arriving 'all the time'.

Regards to all.

OF

I’m not a cloud chaser either however when there’s neglible vapor produced when using the same or slightly higher temp, albeit with old batteries with some semblance of charge capacity, then I know there’s an issue. I also use the Hopper natively sans water or any cooling/filtration and without the silicone tip. It seems like I’m sucking on a straw in a thick milkshake regardless if it’s the current loaner or my own Ti before it went into RMA.

Over the weekend I used a friend’s new Miqro for the first time. He wasn’t thrilled with the operation using it on max temp; he produced no vapor while I managed a few small clouds. Definitely the temp was off and not as hot as it should’ve been (we seldom use temps that high) but my draw strength is pretty strong.

Maybe it is the batts. Ordering a few this week - it’s the only thing I’ll pay HL for currently - but no telling when I’ll see them along with my own Hopper...

 

[Cheesequake]

I’m not a cloud chaser either however when there’s neglible vapor produced when using the same or slightly higher temp, albeit with old batteries with some semblance of charge capacity, then I know there’s an issue.

I have a feeling your unit is giving up the ghost and not just the batteries. Unless they don't hold a charge at all that is. A good working hopper should provide thick satisfying vapor near instantly even with an older battery. I've had and used a couple of my batteries for over a year now and they're still working just fine in my hopper, just don't last quite as long as the fresher ones.

 

[mario]

Just another bit of info to add to the fray.

I just got the Hopper I ordered last week. And omg it is 1000x better than the one I had 6 months ago. The back end turns nicely without any grinding. The button is butter smooth up and down. The threads are perfect and ... the hit... I'm knocked out with just one bowl. It is beyond perfect and what I experienced last time.

So lets see how long it lasts, but dear sweet baby jeebus, one hit through my bong was like downing 2 of my Omni caps in one go.

 

[Cheesequake]

So lets see how long it lasts, but dear sweet baby jeebus, one hit through my bong was like downing 2 of my Omni caps in one go.

I think that's exactly why I don't mind the short battery life with the hopper. At the end of a bowl or two at most I'm about as done as they are

 

[mario]

I've been taking a hit here and there over the afternoon and it has kept me perfectly leveled at 7 the entire time.

 

[MikeG7265]

I've been taking a hit here and there over the afternoon and it has kept me perfectly leveled at 7 the entire time.

Sounds encouraging. How are the different temp settings?

 

[mario]

Noticeable. The lower range is a tastier hit, but as you go up the dial it gets harder and harder. I pulled it through my bong at 4 and it was a beautiful milky hit. I haven't gone up to 5 yet...haven't quite needed to yet...

 

[Rel2018]

Just another bit of info to add to the fray.

I just got the Hopper I ordered last week. And omg it is 1000x better than the one I had 6 months ago. The back end turns nicely without any grinding. The button is butter smooth up and down. The threads are perfect and ... the hit... I'm knocked out with just one bowl. It is beyond perfect and what I experienced last time.

So lets see how long it lasts, but dear sweet baby jeebus, one hit through my bong was like downing 2 of my Omni caps in one go.

Good news, hope you enjoy.
Ti or ss ?
Do they send new units with batteries?

 

[mario]

Ti and there was a battery as well. Which I realized after I ordered was something I should have asked about lol.

 

[mephisto]

Got my new Ti hopper today, it came with a battery and the external charger, no sticker (oh darn) and no silicone mouthpiece. Good to hear you are having a noticeably different experience @mario. 'bout to fire this new hopper up and see if V5 is .........

 

[Macicman]

I run mine just under 4, using the PFE natively. I warm it up with puff-puff mouth pulls before finishing it off with a full draw.
If I haven't made this clear before...
Hopper is a dope gun!

 

[mario]

Ran through 5 bowls throughout today. It has hammered home every time without batting an eye. I haven't combusted even when I hit it with 4.5 even though it was pretty brown already through my bong. I remember a time when that was just asking to light shit on fire. For the moment, it appears, that those days might be gone.

EDIT: I want to also mention that this time around, there hasn't even been a hint of my backend getting hot or even the body getting hot when I'm using it. This was kind of surprising all on its own. The device doesn't get as hot on the outside nearly as much as my old units used to. The heater seems to be running perfectly but there is less heat escaping into the mouthpiece, backend, and body. It's a very noticeable difference for anyone who has had a hot back end before.

 

[fogbank]

Sorry to hear! Is it still working though? That would be a positive.

No, it goes straight to "cop lights" every time.

I opened an RMA and asked that a replacement body be sent to me before I sent back the broken one. They responded with "send in your Hopper". Their instructions say to send in the Hopper, the charger, and one battery.

Well the back end for this Hopper was replaced a few months ago. The new back end works great (I'm using it with a spare V5 body that I ordered a while ago), so there's no way I'm sending it to HL. I have several chargers, but I don't see any reason to send them one in order to repair a "sensor damage" issue. Likewise with the battery. All of mine are currently in rotation, and I don't see any reason to send them one in order to repair a "sensor damage" issue.

On top of that, if I send my Hopper in today, the estimated turnaround time is 3-5 months. It seems obvious to me that a 3 year old, previous generation Hopper body with sensor damage should be replaced with a new body with the latest internal components. They even say that they are replacing older units with new versions. I have no desire to wait 3-5 months for a simple replacement part.

And last of all, I am concerned by the multiple reports I've read where HL sent parts back dirty, scratched, and/or not working.

I have decided not to send my Hopper body back to HL.

 

[JCat]

Ran through 5 bowls throughout today. It has hammered home every time without batting an eye. I haven't combusted even when I hit it with 4.5 even though it was pretty brown already through my bong. I remember a time when that was just asking to light shit on fire. For the moment, it appears, that those days might be gone.

EDIT: I want to also mention that this time around, there hasn't even been a hint of my backend getting hot or even the body getting hot when I'm using it. This was kind of surprising all on its own. The device doesn't get as hot on the outside nearly as much as my old units used to. The heater seems to be running perfectly but there is less heat escaping into the mouthpiece, backend, and body. It's a very noticeable difference for anyone who has had a hot back end before.

Bet no flashing lights either correct? (except when they should ... because your battery is getting low)

Edit: I have a combined total ownership of about 50 hopper months (month per hopper of ownership), and I've had a Hopper that performed like that for optimistically 2 weeks of those 50 hopper months ... so I guess I've been lucky enough to have almost 1% of ownership where my Hopper worked perfectly ... so if I only have to pay 1% of cost for 1% of available usage time I guess they should have cost me $2 instead of $200? ... not to mention the $100-$200 in RMA shipping per hopper ...

Anyways ... on a more serious note ... hope this really is a sign of things turning around (but I can't help but be a little pessimistic ... )

 

[OF]

Anyways ... on a more serious note ... hope this really is a sign of things turning around (but I can't help but be a little pessimistic ... )

Yes, there are reports that excellent (even 'astounding'?) performance is possible, rare perhaps, perhaps fleeting, but possible. Hopefully we can evolve from there to routine.

Not to worry about being a bit pessimistic. Natural, it's what keeps you from putting your hand in the fire more than once. "Once bitten, twice shy"?

Regards and best holiday wises to all.

OF

 

[Vaporific]

Bet no flashing lights either correct? (except when they should ... because your battery is getting low)

Edit: I have a combined total ownership of about 50 hopper months (month per hopper of ownership), and I've had a Hopper that performed like that for optimistically 2 weeks of those 50 hopper months ... so I guess I've been lucky enough to have almost 1% of ownership where my Hopper worked perfectly ... so if I only have to pay 1% of cost for 1% of available usage time I guess they should have cost me $2 instead of $200? ... not to mention the $100-$200 in RMA shipping per hopper ...

Anyways ... on a more serious note ... hope this really is a sign of things turning around (but I can't help but be a little pessimistic ... )

Can we establish a formula for this? Assuming each unit in ownership months divided by the working time plus a percentage of shipping costs? We can fine tune as necessary to meet most of our needs and definition. We can call it the Hopper Coefficient or something scientific sounding?

I feel for many who’ve had less than optimal experience and ownership. Mine worked well for the better part of a year, second year was sub par, and then it just died. Silver lining is I only have one unit and never had the mispleasure of back-and-forth shipping like many. I’m waiting patiently while it sits in RMA-ville like many though and hoping it comes back working again. We’ll see...

 

[mario]

I had a bowl with my Hopper this morning before heading out for work. I had it set on 3.5 for the first two draws which were delicious. I checked the bud after that, the top section was still green and moist. Next two draws were on 4. Clouds galore and flavor. But it wasn't overly hot and didn't make me cough but the clouds were just so dense it kind of started to fog up my room. Opened it up again to check, slightly brown on top, but it was also still moist. So two more hits on 4.5 and same result. Thick delicious clouds, my head was starting to feel fuzzy at this point. Checked the cap a final time, and I decided that it was brown enough. After emptying it, I think I could have gotten one more hit from it if I had wanted to.

The device wasn't hot at all. My draw was like this.

• Click wait for blue.
• Inhale for about 6 seconds or until I could feel the vapor getting much warmer.
• Click the button off.
• Inhale for about another 10ish seconds or until the vapor gets cold again.
• Exhale HUGE clouds full of flavor and punch to the face.

So 6 (possibly 7) amazing flavorful hits, nowhere near combusting, warm and milky thick clouds (in air and water), and the unit wasn't overly hot at any point during my session.

I get almost identical results from my Dynavaps when I hit them just right, but the hopper is faster and I think does more cooling than a dynavap does, so you can take bigger hits.

That's my analysis for now. I will keep pressure testing this unit throughout the 420 weekend to see if it starts to falter anywhere. So far, I'm on the moon.

 

[MikeG7265]

361 days in RMA Purgatory and counting.

I wonder if the following applies to companies like Hopper

Lemon laws are American state laws that provide a remedy for purchasers of cars and other consumer goods in order to compensate for products that repeatedly fail to meet standards of quality and performance