Discontinued The Grasshopper

[akwardsauce]

ash from my gh after it combusted:

i also need to edit that last post i wrote where i said that the + & - sides of the dial switched heat settings...i actually wrapped the dial and the clip in gaffers tape so that it didnt get too hot to hold and for some reason my brain told me that it switched (the tape covered the symbols and i tried to imagine what i was doing instead of removing the tape and looking at it when i wrote that it switched)...i pulled the tape off today and realized that you have to twist the dial all the way to the left in order for the + symbol to be at max, so i was wrong on that one.

 

[moondog]

ash from my gh after it combusted:

Well, that's disturbing.

 

[Shit Snacks]

Got my SS back from warranty, they replaced the body but said the rest was fine. Back end does get hot/warm sometimes, depends on the hit maybe? I can feel the clip part can be scorching potentially... Also mouthpiece not quite flush with new body, back end more even than my Blue Ti but that one is still working okay as it came anyway.

I do like the SS look and feel a lot, but I don't know maybe the Blue Ti is better? I don't know neither seems to work super well for me. Comes in handy but yeah I just don't know what I'm going to do with em. Probably should sell at least one, but with the SS already registered for warranty wonder if thst limits my options?

I suppose I could sell both, that'd be a tough decision after everything, but for the most part it is just not super useful for me as I now have better options available, used in similar situations. GH just wins in the pen looks and low low temps, cool build/design but maybe too many limitations in my experience...

we'll see

Edit to say my batteries seem to work okay for the useage, bowl number just depends in pack and temps aka useage. Also I had had SS for less than 2 weeks when it went wonky Jan 2015 preorder. I do think the GH is more failure prone just bc of the complexity of the device (someone mentioned Milaana earlier, and not only have there been far fewer of them out in the wild now, there has definitely been far fewer, now remedied, issues as well. It definitely is a simpler more durable old school unregulated manual analog device whereas GH is a precisely custom designed modern digital automatic power portable... a mere block of wood sure, but as reliable as one too ) so sure Grasshopper is more failure prone by design and potentially less reliable depending on your luck with the rate (which can happen with any vape or other product today) but the rewards can be extremely worth it as most users admit. Some never experience the failures, but it is still a high rate imo (if you were to tally em all up with heavy research here it could be proven maybe but who wants to do that?). It is an incredible vaping standard for tech alone, why I'll be looking forward to their eventual follow ups (once this all finishes up and it really takes off, they seem invested to push on despite reliability issues, it just be improving but yeah still high due to said tech and parts) if they can incorporate the simplicity idea and forget about the pen cameoflage it could be really really great... Yeah despite being automatic it still has a technique manual aspect and some dig it some don't, depends on your previous vape experience I am sure as well as your individual useage and product, but in my own experience it's not quite as useful though I really want to try since as many know, there's a lot to like here, a lot worthwhile?

 

[SlinginPaint]

There is a distinct difference between warm and hot. Hot to me is something which you cannot handle for prolonged periods of time due to the intense heat. Hot is something uncomfortable to handle for more than a few seconds.

Hot on the hopper to me is temperatures over 140F (measured with my FLIR) localized in one specific place on the back-end (around the clip).

Yes most hopper backends can get warm - but when you can physically feel the backend go from cool to uncomfortably hot literally in one draw, something is clearly wrong. Combine that with flickering blue lights on every hit, and that indicates a problem.

I've handled several hoppers by this point and I can say for certain that you shouldn't be able to feel the back-end of your hopper go from cool to very warm/hot in one hit while blue lights are flickering - clearly indicating the heater is having trouble keeping up with the demand.

I have had these exact symptoms since I got mine... I have been holding off sending it in because its still working but I think I just need to get it taken care of.

 

[Kermitt]

My Backend gets really warm, almost hot. I also have the light blue flickering lights, and after 1-2 bowls my batteries are empty.
I have 5 batteries and I'm using the GH for 6 Weeks every day. The last 3,5 weeks I had holiday, means I used the Hopper from morning till night ;-). I think my batteries are down, because of using it so much :-(. And that makes the Hopper expensive to me (14,50 € per battery)

Is there someone, who used the GH as its only Vape? The question to me is, how much power the batteries loose after a time of using.

I ordered a FF2, because of the spare batterielife, the GH isn't a vape for home. I don't like to change the batteries permanently.

I think my GH is not ok, but I'm not sure. Apart from this, the GH works really good.

 

[akwardsauce]

Well, that's disturbing.

so after emailing her a link to the video she finally responded very quickly (ive been waiting for a response for the last 2 days but this video got one within hours...dont read too much into this it could just be a coincidence).

but she said please stop using it and they are sending a middle and front piece for me to try. ill keep you guys updated.

EDIT: they want me to mail it back to them again instead

 

[Baron23]

Got my SS back from warranty, they replaced the body but said the rest was fine. Back end does get hot/warm sometimes, depends on the hit maybe? I can feel the clip part can be scorching potentially... Also mouthpiece not quite flush with new body, back end more even than my Blue Ti but that one is still working okay as it came anyway.

I do like the SS look and feel a lot, but I don't know maybe the Blue Ti is better? I don't know neither seems to work super well for me. Comes in handy but yeah I just don't know what I'm going to do with em. Probably should sell at least one, but with the SS already registered for warranty wonder if thst limits my options?

I suppose I could sell both, that'd be a tough decision after everything, but for the most part it is just not super useful for me as I now have better options available, used in similar situations. GH just wins in the pen looks and low low temps, cool build/design but maybe too many limitations in my experience...

we'll see

Edit to say my batteries seem to work okay for the useage, bowl number just depends in pack and temps aka useage. Also I had had SS for less than 2 weeks when it went wonky Jan 2015 preorder. I do think the GH is more failure prone just bc of the complexity of the device (someone mentioned Milaana earlier, and not only have there been far fewer of them out in the wild now, there has definitely been far fewer, now remedied, issues as well. It definitely is a simpler more durable old school unregulated manual analog device whereas GH is a precisely custom designed modern digital automatic power portable... a mere block of wood sure, but as reliable as one too ) so sure Grasshopper is more failure prone by design and potentially less reliable depending on your luck with the rate (which can happen with any vape or other product today) but the rewards can be extremely worth it as most users admit. Some never experience the failures, but it is still a high rate imo (if you were to tally em all up with heavy research here it could be proven maybe but who wants to do that?). It is an incredible vaping standard for tech alone, why I'll be looking forward to their eventual follow ups (once this all finishes up and it really takes off, they seem invested to push on despite reliability issues, it just be improving but yeah still high due to said tech and parts) if they can incorporate the simplicity idea and forget about the pen cameoflage it could be really really great... Yeah despite being automatic it still has a technique manual aspect and some dig it some don't, depends on your previous vape experience I am sure as well as your individual useage and product, but in my own experience it's not quite as useful though I really want to try since as many know, there's a lot to like here, a lot worthwhile?

In a previous geological era, I did some work as an RMA engineer (not return material authorization but Reliability, Maintainability, and Availability). So, from what I dimly remember, parts count and complexity certainly contribute to higher failure rates. However, the GH ain't all that complicated nor does it have that many damn parts, IMO.

What they have is design/manf issues that they didn't adequately flush out in initial qualification testing and they seem to have no on-going reliability test program to flush out infant mortality (burn-in, sample reliability testing under stress, parts screening, etc).

Yes, its very valid to point out that this is a hand held vaporizer, kind of a personal appliance, and not a next generation fighter aircraft. But they have problems and tailoring these types of approaches to the level of the product being manufactured is part of the magic sauce in producing reliable and dependable items.

I do love my GH. Its working great...knock on wood. But while I would like to have a second, I will need to see all of these issues resolved first. Just my opinion.

 

[mmafighterthe25]

So Is it worth getting this vaporizer?

 

[FDR]

I've only been vapeing for about a year and a half and waited for my titanium hopper for just over 14 months. I've had it almost 2 weeks and it's working really well so far. No heat at all in the backend or flickering lights. Even while waiting and reading posts about how unbearable the heat can get on the front end, I don't think it's that bad. I started out using my d020 bubbler at first but find myself using it more by itself on temp 3 to 4. 3 1/2 mostly.

I've only used one portable vape, the Arizer air and like it also. Still it's disappointing seeing so many warranty claims happening. I keep wondering what's the longest one of these has lasted. HL said recently the circuit board has only half as many components as the original which keeps me hopeful that they are trying to perfect this device yet that seems a ways off. I also love my hopper, I'm amazed at how quick it's ready, the amount of vapor and how even the abv is. Great little vape when they're working right.

 

[syrupy]

So Is it worth getting this vaporizer?

Worth what? You didn't mention what you're looking for in a vape. Try reading the last ten or twenty pages of this thread. It might give you a better idea if it's for you or not.

 

[mmafighterthe25]

Worth what? You didn't mention what you're looking for in a vape. Try reading the last ten or twenty pages of this thread. It might give you a better idea if it's for you or not.

I've gone through it, a lot of people apparently having to send there's back in . Many problems I guess.

 

[syrupy]

I've gone through it, a lot of people apparently having to send there's back in . Many problems I guess.

There's certainly been some. Of course it's human nature to post more about issues. It's not as common for posts that just say, "everything is still OK". I'm still waiting on the sidelines, quality control isn't where I'm comfortable with the product yet. If you don't mind the possibility of a warranty return, it might work for you.

 

[catbird]

There's certainly been some. Of course it's human nature to post more about issues. It's not as common for posts that just say, "everything is still OK". I'm still waiting on the sidelines, quality control isn't where I'm comfortable with the product yet. If you don't mind the possibility of a warranty return, it might work for you.

I actually don't post about things still being okay because I fear that committing it to writing will upset the grasshopper gods. I will sacrifice something for them in exchange for this post. Things still okay, about 5 weeks in. I am generally hyper / paranoid about some imminent grasshopper demise, and possibly others experience this too. A few times when I changed out the batt, I inadvertently turned the dial down to 1 without noticing, and thought it was dead, silly me. Sometimes the lights act weird and I almost freak out like "OMG red blue flashing lights of death," but nope, thus far functioning continues, yay.

I am really happy with my GH. My main complaint is the auto shut-off. I am completely incapable of taking a draw that the grasshopper detects, so I constantly have to double-click. I started using the silicone tip to help me augment my draw technique but haven't been able to inhale in a way that the GH senses (the hits are good regardless of whether GH detects). I was initially concerned about wear to the clicker, but now I'm more concerned about wear to the heater. Also I've been using it at home when I could be using other vapes, and feel like I should curtail this and limit GH use to when a small portable is necessary, to extend the life. Other paranoid GHers out there?

 

[MoltenTiger]

Aus vapes now have stock of SS hoppers, they want $300 AUD
http://www.australianvaporizers.com.au/store/grasshopper-vaporizer.html

In other news I've found a nice way to vape oil with the hopper.
Using some flower and a piece of plant stem, fill the bottom of the chamber with ground herb, scoop oil with stem, place into chamber (away from walls) then fill remaining space with ground herb.

I only had reclaim from my EQ whip/adapters. But damn! Worked insanely well

 

[Mr. Me2]

So Is it worth getting this vaporizer?

Depends on your needs and planned use. I LOVE mine, and highly recommend it. But if you're a session guy ("guy" in the generic sense), this one may not be for you.

I've also found that there is no one, perfect vape (but for me and my use, the gh comes close). So build a collection. Plus it's nice to rotate. And it's soooo much fun satisfying vas...

 

[Hammahead]

I am generally hyper / paranoid about some imminent grasshopper demise, and possibly others experience this too.

Exactly that is what I meant with my last posting. I have come to a state when I'm happy that the backend doesn't get nearly as hot as the tip, and the battery life stays the same. So maybe this is not only the most badass portable ripping device, but also a zen lesson in patience and confidence in things. Ommm

 

[kingfisher]

Well, after having another issue the day of getting my hopper back from warranty.. Caroline said they would seND me a new back end.

I just want everyone to understand. I gave a detailed description of the problems I was having the first time I sent it in for warranty... including the part where the back end started getting hot and caused subsequent issues. Which is why they had to replace the body, error lights. Anyway this should have been avoided if anyone actually read my warranty claim..., or tested my unit under load.

 

[Gramin]

Got my GH from AusVapes today so I guess I'm one of the first out of the gate. I hope mine doesn't screw up as the hassle of exchange is always a pain.

Anyway I will need more time with it but is there a list of problem serial numbers so I can get a feel for how new the Aussie stock is?

Also after a few hits today my GH would flash red and turn off. Is this a feature? Should I click off after every hit?

 

[Kalessin]

Also after a few hits today my GH would flash red and turn off. Is this a feature? Should I click off after every hit?

The Grasshopper has an 18 second autoshutoff feature if it doesn't detect a draw

 

[Mr. Me2]

Got my GH from AusVapes today so I guess I'm one of the first out of the gate. I hope mine doesn't screw up as the hassle of exchange is always a pain.

Anyway I will need more time with it but is there a list of problem serial numbers so I can get a feel for how new the Aussie stock is?

Also after a few hits today my GH would flash red and turn off. Is this a feature? Should I click off after every hit?

I can't speak for others, but I click off after each pull.

 

[Baron23]

I can't speak for others, but I click off after each pull.

I do likewise. When using glass and REALLY big long draws, I click off the heater when still on the glass, pull just a little more to cool, then pull the GH off and clear the water tool.

 

[HerbieVonVapster]

I tend to click off at almost the end of draw. Then finish drawing heat thru bowl for a couple more seconds.

I figure flavor last little longer and I get better battery life.
Maybe even better on unit and batteries to pull the extra heat away from unit at end of draw.

So far so good with my SS hopper. Well guess that is really Should be other than the disco light of doom the second day, that's been fixed its been running great. Just coming home from camping and she fills her nitch nicely.

 

[Joel W.]

Joel - why do we think its an old style analog potentiometer and not a more modern digital equivalent. I'm not saying its not, I have no earthly idea how they built my GH. Just asking

I have to take back what I said. For the life of me, I can not get the hopper to fire blue lights with an external battery without the back end in the loop. There is something very cool happening in there and I too have no earthly idea how it works.

Nothing I have checked on the back end with a meter, makes any sense to me.
Maybe somone with better electrical skills can crack it.

 

[moondog]

I have to take back what I said. For the life of me, I can not get the hopper to fire blue lights with an external battery without the back end in the loop. There is something very cool happening in there and I too have no earthly idea how it works.

Nothing I have checked on the back end with a meter, makes any sense to me.
Maybe somone with better electrical skills can crack it.

These guys figured it out for you:

 

[kingfisher]

I believe the end has the controller in it. I also think the hopper is using a pulse width modulated power signal. Meaning there is a wave and they are sending pulses of high current to the heater. At least I think they are modulating the current and maintaining a constant voltage. They could be modulating the voltage though too.

I think the temp setting equates to an amplitude of the pulses.

If you wanted to measure or check this. Someone could connect an oscilloscope to the two contacts on the back end when the hopper is powered on. The brass plate in the middle and the threads. I don't have one at home and I don't want to risk bringing it into work.

I believe the hot back end is due to too much resistance between the heater and the back end. I am not sure though.... my simple tests have not produced a consistent result.