Discontinued The Grasshopper

[greenextinguisher]

A lot of recommendations from NiMH batteries permeated into the Li-ion world.

With NiMH you want to stay between .33C and 1C. Going outside this range can be dangerous (high end) or ineffective (low end).

I find .5C is a good general rule for all batteries. Not super slow, reasonably safe and crams an ideal amount of juice in. For the GH batteries, I use .66C. Its not by choice, but my li-ion chargers are not particularly sophisticated and I only have three charge rates available to me.

The other reason (besides longterm health) for choosing a slower charge rate is actually performance. When you chose a higher rate, you are more likely to undercharge the battery a touch and have a slightly shorter cycle.

The XTAR chargers offer .5A and 1A charge rates. Either should be acceptable for the GH. I'd always go slower unless I'm in a hurry. I think you are safe, realistically, long-term even with the nitcore lower setting.

If you want to be obsessive, look into the BT-C3400 by Opus. I found it recently and I think it may be the li-ion charger of my dreams. At over $50, though, I may wait for my XTAR or Pila to die first.

 

[JoeMama]

Okay, I'm not as seasoned as many here and I understand your frustration/concern. I'm not one of those who tries to squeeze every last bit out of a load. I've read (and I'm sure you have too), of how some step up temps and use water tools to completely finish a load. Or transfer the abv to another device. Or save it for edibles.

The one thing I don't do is to worry about battery usage rather than finishing a load. That's why we all have extra batteries. I try to keep count of how many pulls I have in a particular load and also go by taste. Cloud production is my 3rd criteria but less than the others because if I step up temp, the clouds increase, but so does the harshness.

Maybe I SHOULD do more of a side-by-side abv comparison of fresh to spent. But I really don't. And I, like you, sometimes question what I'm seeing when I dump it out. But I think conduction baking results in darker abv.

Looking forward to others weighing in on this.

Everyone has to make their own tracks; needs, priorities, experience.
I've had both Paxs', Crafty and Mighty, been vaping a lot daily now over 3 years (40+ year combuster) and have read thousands of posts here. Each vape and every new strain seems to present a little differently.
I am also still trying to dial in the Hopper's use; really trying for a about a month now. This is complicated by using with wife about half of the time. Separate issues and questions arise there...
In some ways Hopper is simple to use, a la Pax2, and in others it's a deep dark hole full of questions -- for all of which I'm still fully committed to finding answers!
When I'm confused and need a pacifier, I still reach for Mighty; it now seems like the Rock of Gibraltar.
We are finding Hopper use with water tool very nice and I've just ordered a knockoff Pinnacle Hydratube.
So, until those wayward Keurig execs come up with a device and capsules that are fully replicate-able, we do the work much less scientifically.
I do like your question, though.
And if it's not clear here, I do love the Hopper!

I think this is how VAS begins... as only having owned the Pax before the hopper, I'm starting to be curious about other vapes now. Not to replace my enthusiasm for the hopper, though I do tire of second guessing my technique and changing batteries all day.

It's good to know, though, that all of us seem to have to come up with what works best given our needs and preferences.

When you use a bubbler, does that necessarily mean you use T5 and just go for max extraction?

And, the thing with "seeing clouds".... I can't get past the idea that clouds aren't necessary for the effect. I get that on the first draw there are more terpenes and less cloud; then the clouds peak for a couple or three draws, and then it wanes. But a fresh battery brings back clouds for a hit or two. It just seems that I rarely vape an entire chamber on one battery lately. I'm ranting.

Happy Friday, All!

 

[vapviking]

I think this is how VAS begins... as only having owned the Pax before the hopper, I'm starting to be curious about other vapes now. Not to replace my enthusiasm for the hopper, though I do tire of second guessing my technique and changing batteries all day.

It's good to know, though, that all of us seem to have to come up with what works best given our needs and preferences.

When you use a bubbler, does that necessarily mean you use T5 and just go for max extraction?

And, the thing with "seeing clouds".... I can't get past the idea that clouds aren't necessary for the effect. I get that on the first draw there are more terpenes and less cloud; then the clouds peak for a couple or three draws, and then it wanes. But a fresh battery brings back clouds for a hit or two. It just seems that I rarely vape an entire chamber on one battery lately. I'm ranting.

Happy Friday, All!

A bubbler can be used at any temp you'd normally use a vape, and also at higher temps than might be comfortable otherwise.
It does not mean necessarily going to T5, but it's nice to know one can.
Water piece is adding moisture to vapor, along with some heat reduction. For instance, the Mighty cooling unit (part of the vapor path) is great at just that, cooling (this is why its' inside is a reclaim factory). But hooking Mighty or Hopper up to a water piece is another level of enhancement, for the moisture that's being added. So, it's not just for the faster, more complete extraction option that folks use water; it's can be a comfort thing.
For your use, it might reduce the number of fillings and battery changes over the course of a day. Or maybe you need to supplement with a Mighty?

 

[Joel W.]

Hopper #2 now gives me a quick red light and then it goes solid blue and produces zero heat.

Maybe I should have bought 3 hoppers so I can have one working and 2 in for repairs.

Fuck... I thought I thunk it thru.....

 

[newVaper420]

Hopper #2 now gives me a quick red light and then it goes solid blue and produces zero heat.

Maybe I should have bought 3 hoppers so I can have one working and 2 in for repairs.

Fuck... I thought I thunk it thru.....

It will never end. Don't do this to yourself LOL. Then you'll think you need 4 hoppers while 3 are in. LOL

---

In other news I did get my money back for that shit that produced 0 vapor in my hopper. Going back to my old guy tonight.

 

[Mr. Me2]

light

That happened to mine too, but then stopped and seems to be working fine now. Futz around with it; try checking your battery and contacts for gunk, switch out your battery, twist the temp dial back and forth...

Edit: okay, I clearly don't have that quote thing down yet. Very challenging on an iPad.

I'm not sure what resolved it for me, but it was one of those. I'm leaning towards a bad battery. I'll know better when it comes back into rotation. Same thing happened to @lovecrush who ended up with a replacement body. Hope you don't need that.

@JoeMama - if you have the vas, a Crafty is a nice addition to your stable for now. Super easy to use and cool, great flavor. Like all vapes, it does have its negatives though... As we all know, no vape is perfect. Or maybe you want to try a log. People seem to love those. And some are beautiful.

 

[JoeMama]

@JoeMama - if you have the vas, a Crafty is a nice addition to your stable for now. Super easy to use and cool, great flavor. Like all vapes, it does have its negatives though... As we all know, no vape is perfect. Or maybe you want to try a log. People seem to love those. And some are beautiful.

Thanks Me....
Well this is the first time I've heard of the "log". lol I thought you were telling me to go back to rolling.
I've resisted looking into the larger vapes, mainly because, well, what would that say about me!! hahaha
But after a few years of having the medication I've had from the Pax, and now the hopper... I'm one proud Vapoorista!

While I wait for the new backend, the "swap" combo I'm using is just perfect. I don't know why, but it feels like I haven't changed a battery all day and this thing just keeps going. I decided to use some ABV today, and holy shit if it isn't like the best clouds I've seen. Again, I'm reminded, dry flower is KEY for the effect I enjoy having!

 

[Lahey]

Here's a weird gross tip/confession/thought for the day that might make some of you cringe and make others curious:

I have been using the hot mouthpiece of the GH during sessions to do gentle massage and acupressure on my face and neck during sessions. No lie, it feels amazing and has done wonders to drain my lymph nodes. With a few tweaks this heater technology and form factor could definitely be marketed as a high end massage therapy device. And many other applications I'm sure. Pretty neat!

My hygiene is impeccable you guys I swear. Just being a weirdo.

 

[Joel W.]

Same thing happened to @lovecrush who ended up with a replacement body. Hope you don't need that.

I am impressed with hopper labs repair service and Caroline. I have 2 new bodies on the way!

 

[Mr. Me2]

Here's a weird gross tip/confession/thought for the day that might make some of you cringe and make others curious:

I have been using the hot mouthpiece of the GH during sessions to do gentle massage and acupressure on my face and neck during sessions. No lie, it feels amazing and has done wonders to drain my lymph nodes. With a few tweaks this heater technology and form factor could definitely be marketed as a high end massage therapy device. And many other applications I'm sure. Pretty neat!

My hygiene is impeccable you guys I swear. Just being a weirdo.

Interesting extra and unanticipated use. Glad it works for you! Are you going to ask ghl to add a vibration feature?

 

[vapviking]

Here's a weird gross tip/confession/thought for the day that might make some of you cringe and make others curious:

I have been using the hot mouthpiece of the GH during sessions to do gentle massage and acupressure on my face and neck during sessions. No lie, it feels amazing and has done wonders to drain my lymph nodes. With a few tweaks this heater technology and form factor could definitely be marketed as a high end massage therapy device. And many other applications I'm sure. Pretty neat!

My hygiene is impeccable you guys I swear. Just being a weirdo.

I don't find this unusual. I often use the heat from Hopper or Pax2 on arthritic wrists and fingers. Not as a primary use, only as the device is cooling (and to help it cool!) from regular use.

 

[priestsmiler]

Well that was quick!!! Between a very hectic busy weekend I managed to register my broken ti unit on ghl website, file a warranty request and get a response within the day! I'm being sent a new body after I explained what was wrong & that I had tried the advice from this awesome forum which you many helpful guys help to create with the tips & tricks. The old body is to be sent back after I have received the new 1. I do hope the body comes through quickly as I truly am missing the subtle enhanced functionality of my ti over the ss. When the ti is back I shall be contacting vapefiend to see if I can get the ss purchased from them sorted out as well.

 

[vapviking]

Just registered one unit (SS) and filed a warranty request. Less than a month old, used about 5 times before acting up (I have a Ti received at the same time and it's seen a lot of use, working great.)

SS symptoms:
fast flashing red/blue lights, sometimes
brief red light, then off, sometimes
back end (especially the clip) gets pisser hot very fast and cools down quickly afterward, sometimes
heats on red, vapes on blue!, sometimes, but I don't want to spin the wheel of fortune every time it's used.

 

[Mr. Me2]

And it's a sad day for me too.

Today's the day my hopper died.

It all stated out with a glorious plan. Today was literally my first day off in a month, after an incredible high hours push. All I wanted was to enjoy it and start my day by taking a little relaxing time with my ss hopper. I prepared everything, got myself situated, and turned my gh on... And then the weirdness began.

First it turned red, stayed red, and never turned blue. But I could feel the heater working. I took a pull... BIG mistake! I got the hottest vapor I have ever experienced from this thing. And I couldn't believe the size of the cloud after!

I turned it off and waited some time before turning it back on. I wanted it to completely cool down.

When I turned it back on, I got the dreaded red/blue blinking lights. I turned it off and tried a few things (twisting the temp setting, trying different temp settings, unscrewing the battery and checking contacts...what am I forgetting?), all with the same flashing red/blue result.

So I just made my warranty claim. Thank (insert appropriate denominational or nondenominational reference) for the gh lifetime warranty and a company who seems to take it seriously.

Oh, but to be without! I wish it was in my budget to have a backup hopper. Maybe I should crowdfund...

 

[syrupy]

I'm having trouble imagining that GHL's business model includes so much warranty service.

 

[MonkeyTime]

I'm sorry to hear about all the failures this morning. Especially when I'm having a crisis of faith myself.

I love the form factor, I love the speed. I am learning to live with the heat, thanks @greenextinguisher , something you posted a few pages back really hit me. You probably didn't say anything that hadn't been said before, but either your phrasing or timing hit me. I can live with the battery life and it being a unique battery (sorta).

But I'm just not sold for some reason. I almost feel like all of the incredible reports here built up unrealistic expectations, and now I'm underwhelmed.

I remember an early report that compared it to a modernized MFLB on steroids. I think that's really accurate. I can coax great hits out of both, but I have to work for it.

I think I just realized that while I don't mind working for great hits, I don't like carrying those vapes and having to explain them to others. I can pass anyone a Mighty and just tell them to suck on it when it vibrates and they get a hit.

I'll continue to play with it, but I think it's going to fit more as a novelty in my rotation than full position.

I'm kinda sad

 

[Vapor_Eyes]

I'm really surprised at these reports of people having a learning curve with their Grasshoppers. It was easily the easiest vape I've ever used. I tend to learn how to use vapes quickly anyway, maybe because I read way too much about them before I buy them and while I'm waiting to receive them. I'm a bit OCD.

The Grasshopper had literally zero learning curve for me. My first hit of my first chamber was exactly what I was expecting. My sweet spot was exactly where I predicted it to be. I played around with it experimenting but I didn't have any trouble getting the results I wanted.

I don't mean to dismiss other people's issues, I'm just surprised.

I think the Grasshopper is for the time being in a class of its own, no vape can do what it does. It fills a niche for me that no other vape can.

I can now vape wherever I need to, for the most part. The speed, size, and stealth are what enables this. The VapCap, Firefly 2, and Milaana are quick and powerful, but not nearly as stealthy. And only the VapCap can compete on size. My pockets are full already, I don't have room for a Milaana or Firefly 2 most of the time. I can barely even tell when my Grasshopper is in my pocket, sometimes I forget it's there.

That being said, I'm not as in love with the device as a lot of people. I don't really have any complaints either. More battery life would be good but I could say that about most portables. My only other concerns are long term dependability, for which the lifetime warranty lessens my concern, and my less than stellar experiences with customer support.

So it fills a niche that no other vape can, I wouldn't want to go without one now that I have it in my life, and I have no major complaints about performance. Why am I not in love with it? There's just no emotional attachment there.

Maybe it's the industrial design, which is sleek and modern, but not very unique. It looks like a pen after all.

Maybe it's because I view it as more of a utilitarian tool. It's like a really precise saw that cuts through my sobriety. Other vapes are more like a watch to me; they perform a function, but are more decorative, unique, and aesthetically pleasing.

Even though I don't have an emotional bond with it, if I could only have one portable it would have to be my Grasshopper. It just does something no other vape can. And if I could only have one vape period, it's right behind my E-Nano. It's a tough call but I think a log just offers better performance, dependability, and they look sweet too, easily enabling an emotional bond.

So I guess what I'm trying to say in too many words is that I'm in a weird place where I am a big supporter of the Grasshopper and wouldn't want to live without it, but I'm not as in love with it or impressed with its performance as others.

 

[slatihe]

So...

New body/front end arrived today (exactly one week from contacting them)... But it's not ti like old one. >.<

Hint:
A) Orange rust (ferrous oxide) in rear threads. Ti cannot rust, though it does make a blackish gray ti oxide...

And B) my magnet I forgot to put away LOVES this new one and remains completely oblivious to the old one.

So the new one definitely has some iron in it. :/
NOT what I paid for. Lil' butt hurt, but mistakes do happen. And they do look pretty similar, ti is lil less bright silver silver color... But raw ti' hopper is still down for the count.

 

[jamesuk9]

I'm having trouble imagining that GHL's business model includes so much warranty service.

It can't be sustainable that's for sure.

My first Ti Hopper had 5 warranty claims in 3 months so I threw my teddies and got a refund as it was driving me mad.

I Bought another SS just a week ago and it started playing up on the second day.

They're gonna have problems if they don't get to grips with R&D and reliability soon I'd say.

 

[greenextinguisher]

But I'm just not sold for some reason. I almost feel like all of the incredible reports here built up unrealistic expectations, and now I'm underwhelmed.

I'm happy I was able to help you get manageable hits. I think you nailed it that the gushing and the unavailability and the waiting really build up the expectations to insane levels.

The Grasshopper had literally zero learning curve for me.

I don't mean to dismiss other people's issues, I'm just surprised.

I think the Grasshopper is for the time being in a class of its own, no vape can do what it does. It fills a niche for me that no other vape can.

That being said, I'm not as in love with the device as a lot of people.

Even though I don't have an emotional bond with it, if I could only have one portable it would have to be my Grasshopper. It just does something no other vape can. And if I could only have one vape period, it's right behind my E-Nano. It's a tough call but I think a log just offers better performance, dependability, and they look sweet too, easily enabling an emotional bond.

For me, I really read the crap out of this thread, but when I went to use it guided by the advice here, I had an absolutely terrible experience. I don't really know why there is such a disconnect for me based on technique that seems to work well for others, but it's there. If I hadn't read this thread, I probably would have picked it up and started off with a slow hit and would have been quickly on my way.

After almost a decade of "just" having a volcano, this site has caused me to purchase many vapes in quick succession: Firefly 2, Crafty, GH, Nano, VapCap. (I'm doing all I can to resist the brick)

I picked every one of those up (other than the GH) and had a great first hit. Most here would probably argue that, crafty aside, all of them require more technique than the hopper. Even I would, lol.

I think you and I have very similar tastes in vapes. I'm right there with you on pure vapor quality and experience, the GH isn't quite where some other vapes are, but I do think it's quite impressive with all things considered. The GH is so amazingly convenient, stealth and portable. It adapts to just about any form of paraphernalia. I get it.

If I were into using bubblers at home, I could definitely see it being my one-and-only, but I'm not and it probably won't be that for me. Doesn't mean much. I'm still impressed with the options it makes available to me when I want to be discreet. I'm also just a gadget nut and it is cool as shit.

 

[Vapor_Eyes]

I'm happy I was able to help you get manageable hits. I think you nailed it that the gushing and the unavailability and the waiting really build up the expectations to insane levels.



For me, I really read the crap out of this thread, but when I went to use it guided by the advice here, I had an absolutely terrible experience. I don't really know why there is such a disconnect for me based on technique that seems to work well for others, but it's there. If I hadn't read this thread, I probably would have picked it up and started off with a slow hit and would have been quickly on my way.

After almost a decade of "just" having a volcano, this site has caused me to purchase many vapes in quick succession: Firefly 2, Crafty, GH, Nano, VapCap. (I'm doing all I can to resist the brick)

I picked every one of those up (other than the GH) and had a great first hit. Most here would probably argue that, crafty aside, all of them require more technique than the hopper. Even I would, lol.

I think you and I have very similar tastes in vapes. I'm right there with you on pure vapor quality and experience, the GH isn't quite where some other vapes are, but I do think it's quite impressive with all things considered. The GH is so amazingly convenient, stealth and portable. It adapts to just about any form of paraphernalia. I get it.

If I were into using bubblers at home, I could definitely see it being my one-and-only, but I'm not and it probably won't be that for me. Doesn't mean much. I'm still impressed with the options it makes available to me when I want to be discreet. I'm also just a gadget nut and it is cool as shit.

I agree that Grasshopper is beyond impressive from a technical point of view. I can hardly believe it even exists honestly. As a gadget fan myself I agree that it's cool as shit. It's just lacking that emotional investment to me.

I agree about vapor quality. If it was my first convection vape I probably would have been way more impressed. It's still very high quality vapor, besides the heat which doesn't bother me for some reason. It just doesn't measure up to the best of the best in my opinion.

It's too bad that it took you a while to get the hang of it but I'm glad it's all working out for you now!

 

[slatihe]

It can't be sustainable that's for sure.

My first Ti Hopper had 5 warranty claims in 3 months so I threw my teddies and got a refund as it was driving me mad.

I Bought another SS just a week ago and it started playing up on the second day.

They're gonna have problems if they don't get to grips with R&D and reliability soon I'd say.

Of course this only speculation on my part... But I really do believe all backers and preorders are a giant groups of "testers".

Is the life time warranty is going to last forever? I don't know...
Low QC = much lower cost.
And very little seems to go to waist... Seems to be easy fixes. Most likely most the errors are with that circuit board in the bottom of body and connections with it and heater... Maybe some problems with the special 3d printed heater? I don't know what else is really likely to fail too much.

The rest looks pretty much like a switch and potentiometer.... And some metal.

So I'm thinking it likely that maybe they had to order a huge batch they need to get through.... And are implementing changes, swapping out just a lil part or two, and reusing most of defective hoppers.... You know since they are mostly just a metal body.

Just thinking.

 

[newVaper420]

I'm surprised you guys are saying you don't have an emotional investment towards the hopper. I certainly do, and i am super careful with mine. I love it to death. Same with my Cloud Evo. If anything happened to either, I'd be certainly very bummed.

I got my money back from that situation where I got a batch of stuff that produced zero vapor. I paid considerably less from my previous supplier ($68 a 1/4 instead of $86 a 1/4) and it's pretty decent. I mean it's not Gorilla Glue, or White Fire OG, or Banana OG which is all shit I got from that previous guy which was incredible. However, this is supposedly Sour Kush, and I can get a decent amount of vapor out of it. That's better than the other shit I can say. I'm super bummed because that supplier was good. I just don't understand how weed can produce no vapor.

Anyhow, i'm still deciding on a case believe it or not. LOL. I really like that Kroo. I went to a vape shop that sold electronic cigarette stuff. No dice. He recommended an eyeglass case. Negatory.

Second place I went to, I told them that the Grasshopper was the next big thing in vaporizing. They were interested. I gave them the website. LOL. They didn't have a case either. Bummer.

I'm deciding if I should just splurge and get that Ratchet case from Delta 3D studios. Does anyone have any real world pictures of it?

 

[Radiocitysuicide]

What concerns me is that they don't seem to know why the hoppers are failing so much or how to properly fix them. At what point do we start to consider that there is some fundamental design flaw that they either don't know how to fix or can't fix it in a costly manner? As someone who owns two hoppers it worries me.


I agree that hopper has been over hyped to a degree. It's not the be all end all of vapes like some make it seem. I don't even think it's a good daily driver at this point. I was excited and bought the hopper for one very specific purpose and that's being able to get through security at concerts or other venues without a care in the world. I'm paranoid about getting caught when it comes to bringing stuff inside places and in that regard the hopper has already worked great. Was able to go through a metal detector while I put my hopper in the dish with my wallet and keys and walked right through. Easy peasy!

I just wish I felt like Hopper Labs had a handle of the situation and they could say something likely we know why the units have been failing at such a high rate and we are confident we can fix it. I still see some ppl on reddit claiming that the hopper doesn't have an exceptionally high failure rate and it's just that the people with problems are more vocal. At this point I think it's obvious it's more than that.

 

[MonkeyTime]

I'm surprised you guys are saying you don't have an emotional investment towards the hopper. I certainly do, and i am super careful with mine. I love it to death. Same with my Cloud Evo. If anything happened to either, I'd be certainly very bummed.

I got my money back from that situation where I got a batch of stuff that produced zero vapor. I paid considerably less from my previous supplier ($68 a 1/4 instead of $86 a 1/4) and it's pretty decent. I mean it's not Gorilla Glue, or White Fire OG, or Banana OG which is all shit I got from that previous guy which was incredible. However, this is supposedly Sour Kush, and I can get a decent amount of vapor out of it. That's better than the other shit I can say. I'm super bummed because that supplier was good. I just don't understand how weed can produce no vapor.

Anyhow, i'm still deciding on a case believe it or not. LOL. I really like that Kroo. I went to a vape shop that sold electronic cigarette stuff. No dice. He recommended an eyeglass case. Negatory.

Second place I went to, I told them that the Grasshopper was the next big thing in vaporizing. They were interested. I gave them the website. LOL. They didn't have a case either. Bummer.

I'm deciding if I should just splurge and get that Ratchet case from Delta 3D studios. Does anyone have any real world pictures of it?

I can take one, but it will be a while before I can post it. I got the brown exterior with black interior, and I love it!

If I bought another, I might ask for a custom alteration and add a second dedicated doob tube slot. But I feel it was well worth the money and is very practical.