Discontinued The Grasshopper

[Purple Lava Lamp]

I FINALLY have a Grasshopper in my hands!

And before I say anything else about it, I feel like I owe a big THANK YOU to all you vape nerds who contribute here to FC, especially these Grasshopper-related threads. When I found this site less than a month ago, I was on the verge of canceling my pre-order and asking for a refund after 9 months of frustrating delays. But after a week on this forum, I not only decided to keep waiting… I even ordered a second GH from VapeFiend, which arrived yesterday. I put it through its inaugural sessions last night.

WOW. Now I understand. I understand why many of you waited over a year, then experienced multiple reliability issues, and STILL talk about your GH like it’s the best thing since sliced bread.

This thing really is my ideal vaporizer in so many respects. It really does look and feel like a pen. The discretion factor is even better than I expected. In photos and videos, it looks bigger/thicker than an actual pen, and I thought it would be pretty obvious it wasn’t a real pen if you looked at it closely. But now that I have it here in my hand, I’m very confident in its stealth factor. It will easily pass as a regular pen 99% of the time, I’m sure. Especially in my big hands.

And performance-wise, it is better than anything else I’ve used. It’s like Volcano-quality vapor in a tiny device that you don’t have to plug in, heats up instantly, and can be stashed away in 1 second after using it. Unreal. I think it's perfectly suited for my style of smoking/vaping (1-2 hits at a time, every 30 min or so). I can’t wait to dust off my old water bong tonight to try with the hopper.

As a designer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe disciple, this gadget really appeals to my “less is more” design sensibilities. It is elegant in its simplicity.

I’m already glad that I will (eventually) have two of these, because I can already tell that I will be taking one with me everywhere I go. I’m already preparing myself mentally for needing to make a warranty claim, but again, I’m grateful to you FC’ers for familiarizing me with that process.

It took 9 days to get from London to Los Angeles (1 day for every month I’ve been waiting for my other hopper, lol). I was hoping it would come with a spare battery and they would be GHB2, but alas, there was only the one battery, and it is a GHB1. Oh well.

Now to continue my accessory shopping spree! (which, again, I’m thankful to FC for helping me know what to look for… this is a great forum… I can’t believe I never found it before…)

I wish I could buy you guys and girls a round of beers!

 

[moondog]

Its not an either/or situation to me. Any reputable manf of consumer goods needs to turn out a quality product and fulfill order commitments. This is business 101 and vape manf are not exempt in my view.
There is no such thing and something for nothing and at this rate of warranty repair, I fear for their financial viability over all.
Cheers

I happen to agree with you. I was just ruminating on a possible decision-making process that led to this current phase we're in of many more hoppers shipping and seemingly many more hoppers needing warranty support.

I loved the "we're not gonna release it until we get it right" attitude of this company, which is why I've STILL been following this product, but somewhere along the way they just said fuck it and started sending units? I don't understand what made this product any more ready to ship when it did than 4 years ago if they still don't have the kinks worked out. Are we supposed to believe they thought they nailed it? Does anybody there even use a vaporizer?

Careful now, you don't know exactly what they said or thought. The bottom line (in my view) is: it seems as if GHL is on a precarious course of needing to provide LOTS of warranty support when an increased number of units are seemingly being rushed out the door. All we can see for sure is the behaviors on OUR end; which as has been pointed out, is probably a small sample. We cannot know the thoughts/decision-making that went into what we're seeing. Some portion of our conjecturing could be mitigated if GHL chose to be more communicative/transparent, but that's not how they're playing it.

And now for the standard preemptive disclaimer: I am NOT giving GHL a pass. I agree they'll need to do better if they want to survive and flourish. I am not talking about GHL's behavior. I'm talking about ours. Don't know why, that's just what interests me at the moment.

This is a warning to anyone in the UK buying a Grasshopper: Don't purchase from the GH site, purchase from VapeFiend. It will be much cheaper, and sending it back for inevitable returns will be a lot easier.

I thought that had already been established earlier in the thread. Sorry you had to deal with that situation.

In my experience, ONLY in the vape and MJ environment are people giving a pass to vendors (well, actually actively defending them) who fall short in one or more of these areas because, after all, we are brave new explorers on the brink of huge cannabis paradigm shift.

Not sure I agree. This is what I think is known as "life on the bleeding edge" and I think you will find similar behavior in many high tech fields. Computers and mobile phones are two examples I can think of that were like that before the tech matured.

Anyway, I think what we're all rooting/hoping/praying for is that GHL moves off the bleeding edge and onto the leading edge.

Now, I'm gonna go clean me some threads and see if this little pen-like thing lives up to all the hype.

 

[vapviking]

Thanks @MoltenTiger for straightening me out about the Blue Tac safety concerns (that there are really none), I had not remembered your diligence about it.

It's been a day here of ragging on the Hopper's track record, made more difficult for me by being down TWO, until about an hour ago when the mail person brought a new SS Body and I'm Back in the Saddle Again.

Even better, same mail brought my Delta3d accessories.
Best thing: The 2 Delta adapters I got work Great pairing Hopper to my two water pieces. It's a tighter seal than I was getting with almost any other setup, so I'm drawing yuuuuge vapes through!!!

...and congrats to @Purple Lava Lamp, but really, it's been said before,

 

[moondog]

So, while I wait for the iso to dry on my SS before its maiden run, here's a question for all you experienced Blu Tackers: I remember reading that it can be re-used a number of times over a long period. Any recommendations about how to store it in the meantime? Does it dry out if left in air? Would a resealable baggie do the trick?

Yes, I'm just killing time here. Is it that noticeable?

 

[MoltenTiger]

So, while I wait for the iso to dry on my SS before its maiden run, here's a question for all you experienced Blu Tackers: I remember reading that it can be re-used a number of times over a long period. Any recommendations about how to store it in the meantime? Does it dry out if left in air? Would a resealable baggie do the trick?

Yes, I'm just killing time here. Is it that noticeable?

It will oxidise in air, so storing it in a sealed container with minimal airspace is the best way to store it long term. It has pretty noticeable degradation, it loses its pliability and discolours over time. It can last years, though it is noticeably different, even after a few months. After many years it can break apart easily and becomes useless.

When using it to clean threads, it's going to accumulate metallic dust. So after a relatively short amount of time it will make sense to replace it. I keep some on my desk and have used it a dozen or so times. It's definitely grimier, but works as well as ever

 

[moondog]

It will oxidise in air, so storing it in a sealed container with minimal airspace is the best way to store it long term. It has pretty noticeable degradation, it loses its pliability and discolours over time. It can last years, though it is noticeably different, even after a few months. After many years it can break apart easily and becomes useless.

When using it to clean threads, it's going to accumulate metallic dust. So after a relatively short amount of time it will make sense to replace it. I keep some on my desk and have used it a dozen or so times. It's definitely grimier, but works as well as ever

Cool, thanks!

 

[huk_huk]

... the Grasshopper team were not even gracious enough to mark down the value a bit so I didn't get slammed with charges on arrival. ...

Wait until you see it I can't imagin that you got a special packet which is not marked. Every packet I got from HL was marked in perfect manner yet custom intercepted two. Customs said they do this because they can't be sure that there might be something dangerous in the packet. Here in Germany I pay 3.7€ postage to return a Hopper part, this thing is so small you can send it as regular mail. Well that you have to pay customs goes without saying but still for me the GHVape.com price with taking customs into account is cheaper than ordering from Vapefiend or from a German retailer (-the wait time). Well hopefuly you can enjoy it tho

 

[slcbdco]

Thanks @MoltenTiger for straightening me out about the Blue Tac safety concerns (that there are really none), I had not remembered your diligence about it.

I love this clip and say it all the time, Iatoadao. For example when people finally just put more mouthpiece in their mouth and realize they don't need the silicone, or when people stop cramming it packed full and go to a loose pinch, or pretty much everyone who is a grasshopper hater until they try mine and immediately go on the website or now in Boulder and Denver to Terrapin Care Station and buy one, IATOADAO, I FUCKING IATOADASO!

Also to put to rest all the negative speculation about GHL, I see them fairly regularly and they are doing great, a lot more new staff, its busy over there since a food truck park just opened up behind them!

The Dispensary I work for Terrapin Care Station was a retailer backer (Boulder connection at work) and we are getting great feedback from our customers as well. I am lucky to have a front row seat and I'm confident GHL is going to be around a long time.

What I would like to see is any crumb for speculation on Grasshopper 2.0 but alas either their not working on it yet or they are great are keeping it hush hush because I am nosey!

Also incase anyone assumes that I have, which is safe since I was just at GHL but I actually haven't tried a second generation battery yet. For me, I am so happy with the performance of the Grasshopper, especially as compared to the closest thing to it the Firefly 2 which I have, enjoy but almost never use, the only real criticism of the grasshopper that I have that if there was in improvement I'd be like yes I'm getting that! (who am I kidding am I fanboy, I get whatever they put out, I had no need for a FF2 I never even used my FF1 but fanboy and VAS is a bad combo) is well I guess there are two things I'd love

1. Better battery. It is a proprietary battery and they did explain to me how expensive it is to get a manufacturer to build a custom battery, but I would easily pay $30-$50 for an all day long battery. Swapping out batteries really isn't a big deal and $7 is pretty cheap but when you look at most other portable vapes their batteries are way more expensive and in the case of the firefly the use time is definitely better but I don't know if its $30 better.

2. Better low battery indicator. The blinking when you draw is a good indicator but it would be nice for G2 grasshopper if maybe full battery was green, half battery was blue or something like that.

Ok i'm clearly just at the end of the office day rambling so I should really just leave and head to the GIM

 

[Kalessin]

I doubt, or at least I hope they aren't, they are focusing much on a Grasshopper 2 when they are still months behind on preorders for the Grasshopper 1...

 

[moondog]

Also to put to rest all the negative speculation about GHL, I see them fairly regularly and they are doing great, a lot more new staff, its busy over there since a food truck park just opened up behind them!

The Dispensary I work for Terrapin Care Station was a retailer backer (Boulder connection at work) and we are getting great feedback from our customers as well. I am lucky to have a front row seat and I'm confident GHL is going to be around a long time.

This is good to hear!

 

[Purple Lava Lamp]

I doubt, or at least I hope they aren't, they are focusing much on a Grasshopper 2 when they still months behind on preorders for the Grasshopper 1...

Amen to that. I think they should stop taking new orders altogether until they get caught up, or at least put a more realistic shipping date estimate on their store page. They need to focus all their attention on making good on delivering product to the customers whose money they accepted so many months ago, and THEN start thinking about gen 2

 

[MoltenTiger]

Better low battery indicator

How are your batteries going? Do you charge with the included charger?
I'm just wondering as my batteries are worse for wear..


I'd like to see in the (GH2)
-backlit temp gauge
-battery life indicator
-better battery life
-included mouthpiece extender
-better silicone adapters, possibly inbuilt/flush-replaceable

But I would prefer to see utilisation of their heater tech in an uncompromised form-factor. Tethered to a larger powerbank or wall outlet via braided cable, a hot-swappable magnetically attached heater/bowl unit with 18mm quickfit connection for glassware.

Of course, they have plenty of work to do before they can focus on other projects, like their oil front-end, new silicone adapters, SS case or a revamped grasshopper.
But I can't wait to see what they develop next

 

[JoeMama]

Of course, they have plenty of work to do before they can focus on other projects, like their oil front-end, new silicone adapters, SS case or a revamped grasshopper.
But I can't wait to see what they develop next

I bet they'll have Gen2 released before the leather sleeve for the one they already make.

 

[MoltenTiger]

Check out what just turned up:

 

[slcbdco]

Check out what just turned up:

How do you like it? I have one on the way!

 

[MoltenTiger]

How do you like it? I have one on the way!

So far I really like it. It definitely keeps the threads cleaner compared to my normal loading style.

It's a little hard to know how well its working though, as there's no visual feedback until it's done.
Generally it seems to pack fairly consistently, and ends up being more conservative than I usually manage when filling the chamber manually. The amount is fairly ideal and seems to vape nicely.
The interior is fairly non-stick and the overall quality is quite nice.
The design is well thought out and nicely executed, it works easily, there is a bit of a learning curve I guess, but not much of one.
The biggest downside I can mention so far is that a bit of material will work its way into the back of the piston, but its easily collectable when empty. However in the process of emptying the 2g chamber, it will gunk up the piston a tiny bit. So some cleaning is going to be necessary.
I think I should be able to adjust how I use it to minimise this, early days yet..
Overall, it packs the hopper nicely, quickly and satisfyingly and I'm happy with my purchase.
I feel like it's likely this will be how I load the hopper 90% of the time, with the exception being kief sandwiches

 

[Hoey420]

@MoltenTiger, can you smell the weed in that feeder?

 

[MoltenTiger]

@MoltenTiger, can you smell the weed in that feeder?

yes, it is more smelly than the hopper itself.

It's not as bad as an open bag, but it is not air tight so leaks smell easily.

I've just ground up some nicer material to put in it...

Now it's full of stank, there is obvious smell around the door and a tiny bit from the piston.
It's far, far less stinky than with the door off, but I'll be transporting this thing in a charcoal infused bag.

This thing loads the perfect chamber. Seems to cloud up really fast and gives a nice effect

 

[Hoey420]

yes, it is more smelly than the hopper itself.

It's not as bad as an open bag, but it is not air tight so leaks smell easily.

I've just ground up some nicer material to put in it...

I cant have it then as I vape behind my family's back.
With the hopper I take 1 toke on whatever temp after pack it then I could confidently put it in the pocket and not worry about the smell, I use 10ml plastic bottle to store a little than 1 gram of ground weed for on the go.

 

[MoltenTiger]

I cant have it then as I vape behind my family's back.
With the hopper I take 1 toke on whatever temp after pack it then I could confidently put it in the pocket and not worry about the smell, I use 10ml plastic bottle to store a little than 1 gram of ground weed for on the go.

Fair enough, it is definitely not stealthy to store bud in it.
I can get away with mild smell during my sessions, I usually exhale openly. So the extra smell isn't much of an issue for me, but it is something to be aware of with the product

 

[Mr. Me2]

Thx for all of your real world, fact based info, @slcbdco !

 

[moondog]

So far I really like it. It definitely keeps the threads cleaner compared to my normal loading style.

Interesting. This was the question I was planning to ask this morning. It seems like shoving the hopper into that chamber is a prime way to gunk-ify the threads.

Given your feedback, this thing will most probably be on my rapidly growing hopper-related xmas wish list.

 

[MoltenTiger]

Interesting. This was the question I was planning to ask this morning. It seems like shoving the hopper into that chamber is a prime way to gunk-ify the threads.

Given your feedback, this thing will most probably be on my rapidly growing hopper-related xmas wish list.

I could never get shovelling with the hopper to work for me.
I generally used to load it by holding it above my grinder and pinching in tiny bits 3 or 4 times. It was something I never really enjoyed.
I am really enjoying the feeder, beyond what I expected. I bought it for seshing on the go, but I think I'll be using it generally from now on. It'll be interesting to see how it holds up

I've processed two batches of herb through the unit now, and it is clear that material is going to get caught in the mechanism. I might be doing something wrong with angles or something, there are no instructions, but a tiny bit of material builds up in the device that eventually has to be shaken out..

 

[Vaporcussion]

For anyone interested, there's also a very cheap way to load without spilling, the pack n stash Maybe not as pro, but easy to carry around, and great for filling outdoors in the wind

Here's one with some eye candy, too funny

 

[ChooChooCharlie]

@MoltenTiger - Here's a couple comments from my experience with the feeder -- if you feel the cylinder getting stuck after pushing in and trying to twist to lock, it's a bit of longer herb that got half-caught during the inward plunge against the stationary piston. If you force the twist while it's stuck, that herb piece will get ground/squished tight against the rear of the cylinder. Squished particles will not fall out, you have to scrape it out, like stubborn particles in a grinder.

Instead of force twisting, let the spring push out the cylinder just a bit, twist/push in and out a couple mm's to dislodge that troublesome herb particle.

Best ways I've found to avoid this half-caught herb piece problem:

• Let herb dry before loading in feeder.
• Don't grind too coarse.

For readers out there on the fence about this feeder, get off that fence and buy it. It's sort of hard to describe the mechanics of this feeder without holding it and playing with it empty. I was initially afraid that the action was "plunging" herb into GH, and feared herb compression in the load. My fears were unfounded. The shaking you do lets the herb fall into the feeder's pre-loading chamber, whose internal dimensions mimic the dimensions of the GH chamber. It's a naturally loose load. Shake less briskly, and less herb will fall in. When you plunge the GH back in, the herb is pushed into the GH chamber by the stationary piston in the feeder body. Nice and fluffy.