Discontinued The Grasshopper

[moondog]

Man, I HATE to post this but after about 2 happy months my SS hopper that I bought through Vapefiend while awaiting my pre-ordered TI is now... dead. On click it does the old red light to no light after about 2 seconds. I always had flickering blues, I always had hot back ends, but performance was perfect and varied only according to the strength of the batteries used. As to the reason why this may have happened? Just a day ago I neglected to knock wood after smugly wondering what all the QA fuss is about on this very thread.

I just today got my SS back from the lab. I sent it in because it had the same exact symptoms you are describing. Caroline could not duplicate the problem but suspects that the pin in the on/off switch got misaligned, possibly as a result of a friend who couldn't figure out how to fully click the switch and kept sending the hopper into standby mode. Caroline posited that the pin got jostled back into place during shipping.

I believe there is a home remedy for the misaligned pin problem listed in the tips and fixes resource thread.

Then I saw this thing. I know this is off topic, but holy shit!
They present themselves quite nicely...
http://www.cannakorp.com/

Got some major heebie jeebies lookin' at that thing. I agree that is targeting a upper end luxury lifestyle market.

I've made kief sandwich also, not just on top, since that will go thru mp screen. I use small amounts of kief at a time, just an enhancer.

I haven't tried kief in the hopper and probably never will. Too paranoid about it falling through the screen into the heater. But I have sprinkled some on top of a load in my Vapor Brothers bowl and it does give a nice turbo boost to the effects. In particular, I have noticed a lot more body rushes after a mixed bowl.

 

[biohacker]

Not a SINGLE GH (ss or ti) on eBay??? This must be a first?

 

[Bass Vaper]

Couch guy, I meant do some research on my experience with the lab before assuming I'm just here to bash (but I really didn't want you to do any)

I certainly asked about user error, many times. I mean, I don't want them to break. They faulted a defect on their end, and fixed it.

We see things differently here. All good.

Thanks again for the chat, buddy. Vape on!

Edit: I can only speak to, and share my experience, which I feel to be poor. Yours (and many others) have been great. That's awesome. It gives me hope that maybe they'll turn it around.

 

[guyonthecouch]

Wow, I have to say that this is starting reminding me a bit of the FF2 thread earlier on with staunch defenders ready to pulverize any one expressing a negative experience. That's sad.

I see one poster coming up with 15K field population then making up out of whole cloth a failure rate thus validating GHL's reliability engineering by comparison to published electronic failure rate data. This analysis is so flawed that its not worth even dissecting but the real import is the distance that many are willing to go to support GHL.

For the 100th time: I love my GH, mine hasn't malfunctioned one iota ever in the 8-9 months I have owned it.

I also think that their reliability engineering and QA processes are inadequate and justifiably subject to criticism.

I think in the last 5 pages or so there was a bit of crowing about what a wonderful 'lifetime' warranty they provide. Yes, its wonderful but the life time in question is GHL's if they don't turn around their reliability issues IMO.

Cheers

I didn't "come up" with it, I was just restating what GHL has already told us.. read the description of the photo.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BM1yweUhpT4/?taken-by=grasshoppervape&hl=en
Same for their failure rate. Can't find the post at the moment but I swear I remember them stating it was in the 5-10% or less range, my memory could serve me wrong though. I was just using those figures/formula to provide a better perspective. I used that data post as comparison of reputable companies still dealing with much bigger failure rates than HL. They also vamped up their QA process with the custom testing-machine-thingy they built(there's a post about it somewhere).. they are addressing the issues as their budget allows them to.
Of course I'm willing to support them, they make the best vape(all around) available in my mind. Suits all my needs just fine.
Again, was just reminding the kind folk here that it's a small young company with little cash flow. Of course they should be open to criticism but being called "piss poor" is a little unnecessary. That's when the guy on the couch has to stand up for his little buddies

Couch guy, I meant do some research on my experience with the lab before assuming I'm just here to bash (but I really didn't want you to do any)

I certainly asked about user error, many times. I mean, I don't want them to break. They faulted a defect on their end, and fixed it.

We see things differently here. All good.

Thanks again for the chat, buddy. Vape on!

Edit: I can only speak to, and share my experience, which I feel to be poor. Yours (and many others) have been great. That's awesome. It gives me hope that maybe they'll turn it around.

We shall agree to disagree!!
..and believe you me, I read all of your Hopper posts.. ALL OF THEM haha.. i feel your pain and I merit you and the other dude who had to go through 10 claims as well, the honorary Bravery award for taking the hardest hits amongst us!! Thank you and may you never have to call the Hopper Dr. ever again. Peace

 

[mio4me]

It means you haven't read any of my posts on the topic within the last several pages. It's NORMAL.



That's what I thought, but I was wrong.



Thank you Biohacker (and Doktor Dub, too). Sorry that I did not read your previous posts on this issue!
I am quite new (again) to the FC forum, so I am a bit lost there...

 

[Icon13]

I was also asked to send everything back. I sent mine back in a bubble-padded envelope with each of the three pieces (hopper, battery, and charger) separately wrapped in some bubble wrap.

I bubble wrapped mine and then put it in a paper towel roll with the ends tapped shut and the claim number written on it. Then put that in a small padded envelope. Shipping plus the envelope was less than $4.

 

[MoltenTiger]

Blue-flickering

I'd be interested in hearing how your devices are functioning with the newer flickering LED tendency. Can you get cloud results like in Biohackers latest video? Though it's very material dependant getting clouds like that.

Kief will do it, for reference @JoeMama, you know those scrapers grinders often come with?

A scoop covering the shovel of the scraper would be a lot and a heavy hitter. Granted I get quite a fine kief free of flower chunks, but I get great results from very small amounts.
I placed a larger scoop of kief in the chamber directly once, held on its side and gently dragged til vapour formed, then stopped and examined the chamber. The kief had turned a clear golden liquid.
I am pretty care free with kief in the chamber, though I use the GH clicker side up.
It definitely causes a lot of resin to form, and this could easily become problematic with the hopper.

I'm toking on some fruit punch atm, top shelf through the hopper is crazy like kief. Soo good.

My hopperversary is coming up, yeah I've filed some warranties but very glad I've had the pleasure.

I never had VAS, only HAS and GAS.
I've been saying it for ages, but there's nothing even on the horizon that competes with HLs product.
It ticks a niche list and is aimed at getting you elevated - tripping. It all depends on the temp and the material, a good hopper's a good hopper and although there is fluctuation with battery levels and cycles I have only good things to say about how much I've spent and how buzzed I've been since getting a hopper. It's been a great time, though I've had a charger issue, 4 body replacements, a replaced back-end, front-end and have burnt through 4 GHB1s (4 are still okay almost a year on) it's cost me sweet fuck all compared to how much I've enjoyed a year of having a more-powerful-than-my-desktop vape available on demand basically at all times.

 

[mio4me]

I'd be interested in hearing how your devices are functioning with the newer flickering LED tendency. Can you get cloud results like in Biohackers latest video? Though it's very material dependant getting clouds like that.

Hi,
no, my clouds are not very dense. But my material is not very good...
And I do not inhale very strongly...

 

[MoltenTiger]

Hi,
no, my clouds are not very dense. But my material is not very good...
And I do not inhale very strongly...

Hits like that, for me at least, do require a glass piece and a lengthy draw of some kief sprinkled bud. Occasionally straight flower has gone that extreme white for me but it varied bud to bud.

Probably a bit too extreme of an example, but if you're getting good clouds from normal green that's all that matters.

Does your device ever show solid blue LEDs, even with a fresh battery?

 

[mio4me]

Hits like that, for me at least, do require a glass piece and a lengthy draw of some kief sprinkled bud. Occasionally straight flower has gone that extreme white for me but it varied bud to bud.

Probably a bit too extreme of an example, but if you're getting good clouds from normal green that's all that matters.

Does your device ever have solid blue LEDs, even with a fresh battery?

Yes, sometimes - but it's the exception, and I did not find out if there is a reproducible reason for that.
(I only have one battery)
Opening and closing the back side, and turning the GH on without material, just now resulted in solid blue LED. This was the same yesterday, and only occasionally - most of the time, especially when I tried loaded with material, the blue light was flickering.
The battery capacity seem to be very low! Taking 6-7 (not very long) draws it was already exhausted.
Question: can I use the GH with the charging device attached? Will this save the battery capacity?
(I apologize if this question was answered already in the past!)

 

[m0sh]

Hi guys!
My friend finally got the hopper!
He has 4 batteries and he's looking for an external charger.
Is there any safe charger for the hopper batteries?
Please answer as soon as possible, much thanks!

I was wondering regarding - http://charger.nitecore.com/product/um20

 

[MoltenTiger]

Yes, sometimes - but it's the exception, and I did not find out if there is a reproducible reason for that.
(I only have one battery)
Opening and closing the back side, and turning the GH on without material, just now resulted in solid blue LED. This was the same yesterday, and only occasionally - most of the time, especially when I tried loaded with material, the blue light was flickering.
The battery capacity seem to be very low! Taking 6-7 (not very long) draws it was already exhausted.
Question: can I use the GH with the charging device attached? Will this save the battery capacity?
(I apologize if this question was answered already in the past!)

I get occasional flickering with my devices, but I tend not to pay much attention to the LEDs other than waiting for blue light. I have noticed it flickering when the performance was playing up (dodgy back-end) but other than that I've always associated it with flat batteries (or a charge unable to meet the heater demand).

If the performance was similar between the occasional sustained emittance and the flickering light, then that's different to the problems seen before.

But it sounds odd to me that HL would have made flickering a preference.

You can use the GH whilst it is charging, though it charges up slower than it is depleted.

Also try cleaning your threads with blu-tack, this might help with conductivity.

Hi guys!
My friend finally got the hopper!
He has 4 batteries and he's looking for an external charger.
Is there any safe charger for the hopper batteries?
Please answer as soon as possible, much thanks!

I was wondering regarding - http://charger.nitecore.com/product/um20

My recommendation goes to the Xtar MC2 charger. 2 slots, no fuss, durable and smaller than most options.
USB charging allows portable powerbank use.
Makes the GH invincible with 4 batteries

 

[vapviking]

I agree with @MoltenTiger that much of high output result is dependent on material. Lately for budget reasons I keep 'regular' (bricked) and 'high test' flower. Neither even has a name.

In the past I've had much broader access and experience, and I see that there's variation in from bud to bud and in every strain. I tend to mix up a salad a la Hamburger Helper, larger samples from both strains going in to a grind batch give me a more reliable, predictable experience. The batch of a couple days' worth then has a chance to dry some more as it waits. Because batches are averaged, there's more consistency from one to the next; or I can tweak the strength one way or the other, depending.

For the purists, I'll clarify that I just wish my situation could entertain a higher grade experience, if you know what I mean. But this is the hand I'm playing atm.

(Enter, stage right, that kuerig-like dispenser Mr. Vape thing but I'll pass on that one. There's something about the vibe of it that reminds of big money.)

Though I'll still do batches, some of my routine may change soon. I was gifted, by surprise (my children love me, and this proves it), a pre-ordered one of these at xmas;
https://www.getpensimple.com/

I think it's supposed to ship 'in January March', but I know how that can go! I think I'll probably use the dispenser part but maybe not the grinder so much.

 

[m0sh]

Thanks guys
Will try to find it.
I heard that GHL recommended Tenergy TN270
Anyone has it?

 

[biohacker]

I'd be interested in hearing how your devices are functioning with the newer flickering LED tendency. Can you get cloud results like in Biohackers latest video? Though it's very material dependant getting clouds like that.

You will be finding out very shortly, as I will have the newer flickering blue led GH's (ss and ti) in my possession within a day or two, and i'll use the exact same material, grind, load size, temp, and draw to try to replicate those milk vids exactly. I'm hoping for identical results, even with flickering!

I never had VAS, only HAS and GAS.
I've been saying it for ages, but there's nothing even on the horizon that competes with HLs product.
It ticks a niche list and is aimed at getting you elevated - tripping. It all depends on the temp and the material, a good hopper's a good hopper and although there is fluctuation with battery levels and cycles I have only good things to say about how much I've spent and how buzzed I've been since getting a hopper. It's been a great time, though I've had a charger issue, 4 body replacements, a replaced back-end, front-end and have burnt through 4 GHB1s (4 are still okay almost a year on) it's cost me sweet fuck all compared to how much I've enjoyed a year of having a more-powerful-than-my-desktop vape available on demand basically at all times.

Man that was so well said! Love that - HAS AND GAS!!!!!! That sums me up now too! ZERO DESIRE for ANY other vapes present or on the horizon. But I sure would LOVE to have some of those sexy coloured ti hoppers to keep my dark grey ti company!

 

[MoltenTiger]

Thanks guys
Will try to find it.
I heard that GHL recommended Tenergy TN270
Anyone has it?

The secure figure-8 plug and mains power connectivity do make it more recommendable from a technical point of view, however the flexibility of USB power input is very worthwhile IME.

Also the Xtar defaults to the same charging current 500mA as the Tenergy, which is the same as the USB magnetic HL OEM charger, and was their main reasoning when selecting that charger, I would guess

I believe Nitecores must be selected to charge at this rate, and not doing so kills batteries (which aren't covered under any warranty)

 

[biohacker]

I believe Nitecores must be selected to charge at this rate, and not doing so kills batteries (which aren't covered under any warranty)

Fack, I guess I better read my nitecore d4 manual! I've just been plopping them on there! Although this first allotment of 8 batteries i'm torture testing anyway and don't really care if they deteriorate quicker.

I also load without regard for grind or kief.... and yes garbage in=garbage out...it's all about the med quality!

If these new GH's are going to keep flickering, HL may want to change their manual, as flickering is stated to be a normal indication of battery health. Although with the intense flickering on a new battery, this is kinda redundant. I wish they kept working like my original's...those blue leds are perfect and work like intended.

 

[MoltenTiger]

Fack, I guess I better read my nitecore d4 manual! I've just been plopping them on there! Although this first allotment of 8 batteries i'm torture testing anyway and don't really care if they deteriorate quicker.

I also load without regard for grind or kief.... and yes garbage in=garbage out...it's all about the med quality!

If these new GH's are going to keep flickering, HL may want to change their manual, as flickering is stated to be a normal indication of battery health. Although with the intense flickering on a new battery, this is kinda redundant. I wish they kept working like my original's...those blue leds are perfect and work like intended.

Yeah do so, generally it should take over an hour to charge a GH battery. The slower the charge the better it is for longevity (chiefly maintaining capacity).
There's a couple accounts on reddit where Caroline reported to users that they had killed their batteries improperly charging them and would have to replace them. Both were using the popular nitecore models, I have tried to bring this up every so often here and reddit, but Nitecores still get the most noise.

Xtar MC2 is perfect for hassle-free charging, for those who are about to buy. Generally any Li-ion cylinder charger will be fine, though as these batteries are already <750mAh they have a very short lifespan given their work environment.

Also, I am not a fan if they've made it so the blue LEDs flicker. Mine are like your original's, though I'd say mine are only a few months old, so relatively new.
Ideally there should be a separate battery indicator on the things, though if the lights are solid when the charge is good, an additional indicator is not needed.

 

[m0sh]

@MoltenTiger - so then, using a USB charger connected to a PC will guarantee a safer charge due to lower voltage?

 

[guyonthecouch]

I'd be interested in hearing how your devices are functioning with the newer flickering LED tendency. Can you get cloud results like in Biohackers latest video? Though it's very material dependant getting clouds like that.

Blue flickering light is not a sign of performance degradation/hindrance. My brand new GHB2 battery flickered and pumped out massive clouds. Cleaned my backend threading on the clicker and body and no more flickering. The more you swap your batts the more you'll have to tend to this area as debris/dust will build up over time. If I leave one batt in and charge after every usage I run into the least amount of issues/don't need to clean as much because I'm not opening screwing/unscrewing batt chamber/swapping batts.

 

[slcbdco]

I agree with @MoltenTiger that much of high output result is dependent on material. Lately for budget reasons I keep 'regular' (bricked) and 'high test' flower. Neither even has a name.

In the past I've had much broader access and experience, and I see that there's variation in from bud to bud and in every strain. I tend to mix up a salad a la Hamburger Helper, larger samples from both strains going in to a grind batch give me a more reliable, predictable experience. The batch of a couple days' worth then has a chance to dry some more as it waits. Because batches are averaged, there's more consistency from one to the next; or I can tweak the strength one way or the other, depending.

For the purists, I'll clarify that I just wish my situation could entertain a higher grade experience, if you know what I mean. But this is the hand I'm playing atm.

(Enter, stage right, that kuerig-like dispenser Mr. Vape thing but I'll pass on that one. There's something about the vibe of it that reminds of big money.)

Though I'll still do batches, some of my routine may change soon. I was gifted, by surprise (my children love me, and this proves it), a pre-ordered one of these at xmas;
https://www.getpensimple.com/

I think it's supposed to ship 'in January March', but I know how that can go! I think I'll probably use the dispenser part but maybe not the grinder so much.

Can't wait for legalization to land in your state man! 3 years in, it's so easy to take for granted, options far beyond my knowledge base. It's truly a great think to walk up to a budtender and describe either how you want to feel, or what ache you want to not feel and be presented several options. Hope it comes to you soon, meanwhile hit up Co, Or or Wa!

Thanks guys
Will try to find it.
I heard that GHL recommended Tenergy TN270
Anyone has it?

I have that charger it works fine, just careful with the adjusters as it might rip the battery wrap

Man that was so well said! Love that - HAS AND GAS!!!!!! That sums me up now too! ZERO DESIRE for ANY other vapes present or on the horizon. But I sure would LOVE to have some of those sexy coloured ti hoppers to keep my dark grey ti company!

I hear that, I just got a Davinci IQ out of curiosity and that I am trying to switch from smoking to vaping tobaco and I like the session style for vaping tobaco and other herbs, and while the Davinci is a better experience for that use than the pax2, again, overall if I only had one vape it would be the Grasshopper hands down!

The other benefit of my strategy is it's actually helping me cut back on Tobaco as the grasshopper is more fun and convenient to use and once i'm a birdhead, loading waiting for the IQ usually seems like too much work, after a big ole

@biohacker love the TPB reference, the grasshopper is the best vape Julian, I don't mean the kinda guy to say Iatoadaso, but I fucking Iatoadaso

 

[vapviking]

Slow down you guys.
My Nitecre D2 default is the same 500mah rate you are talking about for the OEM HL charger. The D2 also has a selectable 300 mah rate, even slower.
My D2 came with 110 volt wire and a 12 Volt car adapter, so I don't miss not having usb.
Bonus, the car adapter also works for Mighty.

 

[MoltenTiger]

@MoltenTiger - so then, using a USB charger connected to a PC will guarantee a safer charge due to lower voltage?

Yep, any 5V USB outlet will be of great use and are somewhat easy to find. I use mine with an iPad power brick or a rapoo P500 powerbank, though I've plugged it into a 12V car adapter, laptops, desktops, random USB power outlet adapters and a DVD player. All have worked perfectly.

Here's the product page for that Shenzhen promo and deats

EDIT: looks like the Nitecore D4 is the culprit, the D2 is a good option if you want some semi-useful info. (0.7A vs 0.5A charge rates respectively)

 

[m0sh]

Yep, any 5V USB outlet will be of great use and are somewhat easy to find. I use mine with an iPad power brick or a rapoo P500 powerbank, though I've plugged it into a 12V car adapter, laptops, desktops, random USB power outlet adapters and a DVD player. All have worked perfectly.

Here's the product page for that Shenzhen promo and deats

OK then, the UM20 would be great for charging using my friend's PC.

BTW, I see that the new i4 has 750mah/1500mah charging.

Is 750 too much?
I need to know ASAP, my friend is buying this in the next hour.

 

[MoltenTiger]

OK then, the UM20 would be great for charging using my friend's PC.

BTW, I see that the new i4 has 750mah/1500mah charging.

Is 750 too much?
I need to know ASAP, my friend is buying this in the next hour.

The UM20 is an okay choice.

I think it's likely you'll have to manually select charge rate when you insert a battery.
The screen info is somewhat useless, you would want a multimeter to get any meaningful data. Some chergers that show capacity are okay. The general size is already bigger than the Xtar MC2, plus with the screen it makes it a big chunka.

Up to you.

I've been using my Xtar for months and months, lost count. I wouldn't bother with anything else, unless extra info was something I was interested in.

I've never tried the Nitecore, but with the Xtar, the custom size of the GH battery is fine, they sit flush and have ample connection either side. Only fall out if the charger is dropped from a height.