Discontinued The Grasshopper

[MoltenTiger]

Well, as much shitvas I give them, I still sent two back to RMA and really do hope they come back working great. Loved them when working.

Cheers

It's all well deserved flack. Expected and fair.

Hopefully they get their shit together eventually... We've all been waiting in hope, at this point we might as well continue. Hard to know what to think.
The devices might return after service working really well, but for how long? I've clocked up 5 months so far with my latest RMAs, and I've found I gravitate to whichever unit is working best as it can vary a little. The fluctuation to performance is really unfortunate and still rampant. Peak performance is nuts and anything less is notably underwhelming.

It's almost a pity the device is unique and so nice when working properly. Otherwise it'd be easy to forget about and moving on wouldn't be so full of compromises. You either have a hopper that can milk glass like no other portable, or you have something as underwhelming as a malfunctioning hopper.

It sucks that this is what we have to put up with for a no-wait powerful vape, but it is worth it overall. I guess I'm not at all surprised nothing else is out there that's very similar, people were drilling HL during the indiegogo because of the feasibility. It's a ridiculous device through and through.

Plenty of ways to enjoy the green, but the only way to enjoy a hopper is when it's pumping terps or pouring out clouds.
I do find that it makes up for the down time when I'm not having issues, but when I am having issues the opposite can ring true.

The only thing worse/similar, that I've found, was losing the Sublimator to, again, design faults. It's a sinking feeling that could technically be avoided.
I'm finding the StemPod and the Dynavap take the edge off after losing a hopper, but I've got nothing when the Subs offline unless I have a working hopper.

Of the 16 vapes I've tried, I couldn't opt for any single unit except for a consistent, hot running GH with PFE. That'd be perfection.

there is nothing in fact (as in, an event which occurred) to support an positive view of them.

That's fair enough, but I do find it positive they haven't just given up and run off with millions. Instead they've spent big sums doing some crazy cool shit which plays directly into benefitting my lifestyle. I'm on my first tolerance break in a long time and having HL printed heaters adds an extra challenge. The simplicity is just luxurious, as are instantaneous and healthy bong hits. There is nearly endless negatives to focus on, but the fact is every RMA will be tended to. I view the entire event as positive because I'm currently over the moon with 2/3 purchases, and I know that in time that'll be 3/3 happy purchases.
It's as unorthodox as it gets. But they chose to play like that, and actually it's a fascinating execution. I've never found it frustrating as it's pure entertainment to a techy tripper such as myself. The alternate, a world which never saw the innovations of Hopper Labs, sounds like a shit time. No pain, no gain.

 

[Vaporific]

techy tripper

I resemble that remark. Never quite put it that way but that describes me too well. Nice post too, BTW.

Indeed, many trials and tribulations with the company and Hoppers. Love to bash them but I’m not overly negative or offensive in doing so. It’s a shame they don’t participate herein though they may lurk. When it works well it works well, otherwise it don’t...

 

[ChooChooCharlie]

I apologize for being a hopper apologist. One died recently, but have others. Here's one pointing at my red sold sticker. I'm a fan, short for fanatic:

Spoiler

 

[Vaporific]

On a whim again, I checked my Hopper RMA case and HL provided an update in which I again didn't receive an email to this effect. HL said, "Yes you need a new heating assembly. There is a line to receive this part and that is where you unit is. Once your turn in line here we will replace it and send it out asap." So a new heating assembly? That's like a majority of the innards of the device. I wonder if that's why it wouldn't turn on at the end of its life or if I need a new backend too. "The waiting is the hardest part" (RIP TP!).

EDIT: my last inquiry to HL was whether any diagnosis had been made yet on my unit since I hadn't received any thus far. Pretty generic and ambivalent if you ask me. My turn in line has been pushed back by them once already.

 

[frank grimes]

That's fair enough, but I do find it positive they haven't just given up and run off with millions. Instead they've spent big sums doing some crazy cool shit which plays directly into benefitting my lifestyle. I'm on my first tolerance break in a long time and having HL printed heaters adds an extra challenge. The simplicity is just luxurious, as are instantaneous and healthy bong hits. There is nearly endless negatives to focus on, but the fact is every RMA will be tended to.

Not to be adverserial, but what is the “crazy cool shit” that they spent big sums of money on?

I only pop in once in a while in this forum to see if anything has changed. I have 2 hoppers that I’ve been waiting for 16months to send in but I’m just waiting for the right time which will probably be never.

I ask because I know they spent money on moving somewhere else and bought some machines to bring the operations in house. I know they keep coming out with new concept products like a carrying cases and chargers but I’ve yet to see these concepts come to fruition. As far as I can tell, they may be spending money but I don’t notice the impact or any net benefit to the consumer.

Once again, I have no beef with the OP, my problem lays solely with hopper labs.

 

[Macicman]

Mine still works. EZ to use and it does what no other vape does. 6-8 second warmup from cold start, 4 second or less after that.

 

[MonkeyTime]

Mine still works. EZ to use and it does what no other vape does. 6-8 second warmup from cold start, 4 second or less after that.

We know, it's your dope gun.

I have two, they both returned from RMA and run cool enough that they don't produce vapor.

Can't we get over this back and forth. We all agree, WHEN they work, they're great.

But it seems to be a crap shoot as to who gets a working unit.

At least we've gotten over the debate as to whether it was the usage/how used that determined longevity

 

[vapviking]

At least we've gotten over the debate as to whether it was the usage/how used that determined longevity

Yeah, we used to try to accept,"It's not you (HL), it's me..." but not many out here still think it's the use pattern that blows these things up.

 

[Vaporific]

I know they keep coming out with new concept products like a carrying cases and chargers but I’ve yet to see these concepts come to fruition. As far as I can tell, they may be spending money but I don’t notice the impact or any net benefit to the consumer.

The steel case has been listed for four friggin years and my buddy who ordered it four years ago still hasn’t received it. This is ludicris if you ask me.

Product reliability, either with new or RMA’d units, is mediocre at best from what I’ve read herein and observed myself (mine is in RMA since Sept ‘18) as well as a few local friends. Some hit their units hard and they work and some not as hard or frequent and performance is not optimal at all. It’s all a crap shoot. I for one will not give HL any more money until my unit works (again). The consumer experience runs the gamut and I don’t think HL really cares about this or knows how to run things operationally to take this into account.

 

[MoltenTiger]

Not to be adverserial, but what is the “crazy cool shit” that they spent big sums of money on?

I only pop in once in a while in this forum to see if anything has changed. I have 2 hoppers that I’ve been waiting for 16months to send in but I’m just waiting for the right time which will probably be never.

I ask because I know they spent money on moving somewhere else and bought some machines to bring the operations in house. I know they keep coming out with new concept products like a carrying cases and chargers but I’ve yet to see these concepts come to fruition. As far as I can tell, they may be spending money but I don’t notice the impact or any net benefit to the consumer.

Once again, I have no beef with the OP, my problem lays solely with hopper labs.

Yep, by crazy cool shit I mean they set up shop to laser sinter metal, pick and place SMDs, laser weld, laser engrave, automate procedures, and it all adds up to (allegedly) delivering this crazy cool pen. To me that qualifies. Lasers are really cool, I have micro etched CBD and THC molecules on my fanciest unit. The resolution is impressive.

The case and the charger, well I could care less about them, it is lame how they're not available - but it's just fancy stuff no one needs. The priority is obviously on the pen and clearly it still needs focus.

They're spending a boat load of money for sure, and it directly benefits the consumer.
What they have done is obtain the cheapest part cost, and keep QC in-house on their most problematic part. The heater is what everyone is waiting for, they have to be 3D printed and it takes time and it's state of the art tech. They've been figuring out how to produce the things and have ramped up throughput which means less waiting for RMA or for new buyers.

The newest design revision is a thing of awesomeness. My latest is over a year old now and hasn't skipped a beat, it's always run capped at 210°C as it's supposed to be. The experience compared to my backer unit (retail purchase from Vapefiend 2016) and my 2018 4/20 35% off unit was decent. Single click power switch, the newer magnetic ring charger is a massive upgrade, and it hasn't stopped working ever. Luck could play a part, but that backer unit spent 13 months in CO until I received it 5 months ago, and it's currently my go to and traveller piece.
Prior to that, RMAs were failing very rapidly, like after 2-4 weeks (and several times!).

Things are definitely better, but they're not perfect. Much closer to something that could be considered good though.
At the very least you should start the RMA process. It's a gamble to pay to send them back, but it's a bigger loss if you don't IMO.

At least we've gotten over the debate as to whether it was the usage/how used that determined longevity

There's never been all that much kicking about the GH echo chamber, but I think that debate has dwindled purely as fewer are actually using the things and they're forced to be waiting to try.

And for the record, you can kill a hopper by using it wrong. But hitting it hard shouldn't be considered wrong usage, and when everything is working like clockwork it seems you can keep this up for a long time potentially.
Either luck out or be shit outta luck.

Product reliability, either with new or RMA’d units, is mediocre at best from what I’ve read

Well at best it's very reliable and at worst it isn't at all.
I got vapes falling out of my hair so I guess I'd tend to pack a surplus dynavap if I'm hell bent on reliability. But in some situations the hopper is much more reliable. Long term I think it's an electronic consumer product that is going to have it's day.
I'm already on my second flagship phone and I'm due for warranty replacement again, not even 2 years after signing the contract. If I wanted to rely on communication I'd opt for face to face. But I get by enjoying these silly distractions and past times. The hopper will never be infallible.

I don’t think HL really cares

I think they do, otherwise they'd give up

 

[Vaporific]

I think they do, otherwise they'd give up

They have a funny way of demonstrating it, that’s for sure! And it’s taking very long to right the ship. Indeed, they need to focus on the main product and not the extra stuff. It’s positive they’re still in business (VC?) but they need to grow up and reduce their defect percentage - whatever and however you care to define it - with new units and older ones through RMA. Of the latter, people are still having issues. This is what I fear whenever I get mine back. Perhaps brand new units are working fairly well by comparison.

TGIF!

 

[MoltenTiger]

They have a funny way of demonstrating it, that’s for sure! And it’s taking very long to right the ship. Indeed, they need to focus on the main product and not the extra stuff. It’s positive they’re still in business (VC?) but they need to grow up and reduce their defect percentage - whatever and however you care to define it - with new units and older ones through RMA. Of the latter, people are still having issues. This is what I fear whenever I get mine back. Perhaps brand new units are working fairly well by comparison.

TGIF!

Well the ship was well off course. Remember these devices began with a 30+% failure rate.
Ships are slow to turn.


Welp, a few days of a break and I'm back on the hopper train. It's just too convenient.
Staring down at 4 new LG HG2 18650's for my StemPod but I've already filled my lungs a few times with a 3.5T and 5T from the GH.
I might just have to tap out early.
Using the hopper is very appreciable.

 

[mario]

This post just makes me want my BCG more than I already do. It should be here this week, I’ve been watching my tracking information for a week now. I think it will be a perfect pair for my Hopper as well.

 

[slcbdco]

I apologize for being a hopper apologist. One died recently, but have others. Here's one pointing at my red sold sticker. I'm a fan, short for fanatic:

Spoiler

Nice!

I am also an unapologetic grasshopper Fan Boy! I can tell that I am, not by my commitment to getting hoppers fixed when they break (and it’s easier for me since I live in Boulder) but the real evidence is all the perfectly working vapes I have that I never use.

Nothing wrong with the firefly 2, appollo, or davicni IQ, they are just not as good for me to use as a my hopper. And it’s not that only like the hopper, I LOVE my dynavaps and with the induction heater I use them at home often, the grasshopper remains my go to primarily though even after all these years and other great vapes!

 

[Rel2018]

About a year dealing with hopper labs. Bought 1 Ti + spare body.
replaced original body twice, spare body once, and backend once as well. About 5-6 months with working hopper (since last replacement) and even now it will 8 out of 10 clicks go to red light and I have to find a sweet spot for screwing the backend for it to go to blue......

I Used to smoke 30gr plus tobacco and bongs for 15 years. Almost since the day I got it I vape 15gr or less a month no tobacco and I’m triple stoned sometimes more than I want to be. I’m Also disgusted with using a lighter for bong or joint.

A freaking beast!

 

[Cheesequake]

One of my newest version hoppers started combusting so I stripped the body and poured ISO through the whole thing when it was warm. Brushed it out and poured a little more, then let it dry. I've vaped one bowl from it since but it's working like a brand new hopper should. No flashing lights no matter how fast I pull, light clouds on lvl 2, heavier clouds on lvl 3, toasting it nearly on lvl 5. Hope it stays like this for a little while at least

 

[vapviking]

One of my newest version hoppers started combusting so I stripped the body and poured ISO through the whole thing when it was warm. Brushed it out and poured a little more, then let it dry. I've vaped one bowl from it since but it's working like a brand new hopper should. No flashing lights no matter how fast I pull, light clouds on lvl 2, heavier clouds on lvl 3, toasting it nearly on lvl 5. Hope it stays like this for a little while at least

I think this is a new one.
I'm assuming you poured it into the battery compartment and let it drain down and out the flower chamber?
No soak?, Just warm it a little and pour an ounce or two through twice?
And, if you could post a youtube of the dance and incantations exactly as you performed them it would be most helpful.

 

[tylerj55]

If one were to buy a fresh from refurbishment TI grasshopper how much is fair? I’m not selling mine but my friend, who I convinced to buy one, is interested in selling his and I may buy it.

Mods- if that question is not ok please do not ban me, I am not attempting to sell anything, just curious how much I should pay him for it.

 

[Mr. Me2]

If one were to buy a fresh from refurbishment TI grasshopper how much is fair? I’m not selling mine but my friend, who I convinced to buy one, is interested in selling his and I may buy it.

Mods- if that question is not ok please do not ban me, I am not attempting to sell anything, just curious how much I should pay him for it.

As you’re negotiating with a friend, I won’t get in the middle of that, but I think you should ask him if he has made a warranty claim or otherwise registered his gh. And also ask him if he has the original box.

If I remember right (and please don’t hold me to it), I think ghl charges ($45?) to transfer warranty rights and any email needs numbers from the hopper and box.

Boy... I HOPE I got that right...

 

[Vaporific]

I think this is a new one.
I'm assuming you poured it into the battery compartment and let it drain down and out the flower chamber?
No soak?, Just warm it a little and pour an ounce or two through twice?
And, if you could post a youtube of the dance and incantations exactly as you performed them it would be most helpful.

Would love to see a video of this too. When you say “strip the body” does that imply removing the heating component from the body? I recall reading/seeing this many pages ago. I hadn’t realized, perhaps with the newer design, that it could be removed until I saw the aforementioned post and it’s again brought up now. Cheers.

 

[tylerj55]

As you’re negotiating with a friend, I won’t get in the middle of that, but I think you should ask him if he has made a warranty claim or otherwise registered his gh. And also ask him if he has the original box.

If I remember right (and please don’t hold me to it), I think ghl charges ($45?) to transfer warranty rights and any email needs numbers from the hopper and box.

Boy... I HOPE I got that right...

He’s asking me for $100 and I just don’t want to rip him off. I’m only buying it because I feel bad recommending this product since it broke right away, then took forever to warranty, so I just want him to have a usable vape. I feel like it’s worth closer to $150 though and he could get a better vape with the extra $50 if it is actually worth that much.

 

[vapviking]

Would love to see a video of this too. When you say “strip the body” does that imply removing the heating component from the body? I recall reading/seeing this many pages ago. I hadn’t realized, perhaps with the newer design, that it could be removed until I saw the aforementioned post and it’s again brought up now. Cheers.

I was just kidding about the video with dancing and stuff.
I think "strip the body" just meant removing the back end, battery and front end.

He’s asking me for $100 and I just don’t want to rip him off. I’m only buying it because I feel bad recommending this product since it broke right away, then took forever to warranty, so I just want him to have a usable vape. I feel like it’s worth closer to $150 though and he could get a better vape with the extra $50 if it is actually worth that much.

If you also have to pay the $45 change of registration fee, then you'd be in almost $200 which seems high to me. But it seems like you and your friend will be able to find a middle ground.
Fill it up, fire it up and have a chat...

 

[Vaporific]

I was just kidding about the video with dancing and stuff.
I think "strip the body" just meant removing the back end, battery and front end.
If you also have to pay the $45 change of registration fee, then you'd be in almost $200 which seems high to me. But it seems like you and your friend will be able to find a middle ground.
Fill it up, fire it up and have a chat...

Dancing wasn't required but the video of the cleaning regimen would be cool . No worries or any undue obligation.

Funny, HL mentioned I needed a new heating assembly and I wonder if that will correct the fact that it wouldn't even turn on at the end of it's life or not. A new heating assembly should solve the poor vapor production I experienced for quite some time and I'm unsure it will fix the on/off issue which is more of the backend I would think. But I don't want to over-speculate. Nine months in RMA and still counting...

 

[HillaryClinton]

Wow this is still going on, gave up on my GH long ago, honestly feel bad for you guys, I just considered it a 80 dollar lose at a point...

(got the first founders type discount, think it was around 80 bucks, memory is foggy, almost forgot this vape existed...)

I do hope someone makes a similar less issue prone type vape sometime in the future, but wont be buying it right away like I did with this.

Good luck to you all though, cant believe still so many issues still.

 

[MoltenTiger]

Wow this is still going on, gave up on my GH long ago, honestly feel bad for you guys, I just considered it a 80 dollar lose at a point...

(got the first founders type discount, think it was around 80 bucks, memory is foggy, almost forgot this vape existed...)

I do hope someone makes a similar less issue prone type vape sometime in the future, but wont be buying it right away like I did with this.

Good luck to you all though, cant believe still so many issues still.

It has been somewhat unfortunate, but not remotely unforeseeable.
The timeline is something like this:

-pitched 2013,
-pre-orders opened 2014,
-2015-2016 backer units started arriving in the field with 30% initial failure rate,
-2016-2017 pre-orders delivered as known-bad devices but with slowly decreasing failure rates and the odd period of robust devices,
-2017-2018 was the pinch point, design changes not accepted by manufacturer - Hopper Labs acquires tech to print heaters,
-2018 HL have limited production as they test their yields and processes, then they move locations in December,
-2019 HL claim they have got production sorted out (which you'd expect has a 1% failure rate, the industry standard [at first they were 30 times worse!]).

Where do things go from here?

Well, at some distant point everyone will have been reissued their devices and eventually there will be a stock-pile of componentry for rapid RMA turn-around.
Then the world will more readily accept cannabis. Then the GH will be even more widely sought after and actually arrive with a good chance of being robust. The unique nature and the expanding industry has been enough to keep them afloat, things will continue to be interesting. No one else has taken on the challenges rounded up by the above timeline or focused properly on the dynamics involved to achieve what the hopper can do.
With the patented heating algorithms and the heater design, the insulated chamber, the size and the energy efficiency, it's easily one of the most awesome gadgets of this generation. And it's all protected under IP law, so it's not exactly a simple process for anyone else to arrive at a decent competitive product. Limitations exist for everyone.

I've been waiting and looking for something that can actually compete with the hopper out of interest, but I've yet to see something that fits the bill. And, 133 days since my extended RMA and 378 days since receiving my latest unit, I'm still clicking and twisting back-ends as nothing else exists to use in its place, and the other vapes I do have are mostly rendered useless by a hopper. I have no regrets, but I've been a little lucky and paid to play a game worth playing.

Compared to the $80 backer units, the new units are many iterations different and on average much, much better. They might still have tweaks to make, but they actually have the ability to implement it.

I feel worse for those who bought the Loto Labs unit from Indiegogo, that was pitched in the same time frame and didn't even come to fruition in a herb vape form.

I feel worse for those who bought the Haze Square, I don't know the details so well, but that was most unfortunate.

I feel worst for those who have reliable vapes but no Grasshopper. Not to say the GH is right for everyone, but it's very good for cannabis and super nice.