The Grasshopper

[KeroZen]

I have no problem having @Hippie Dickie participate here and clearly don't see it as a form of solicitation.

It's normal that we are sceptical because honnestly they announced something nobody managed to do so far with the current technology. If they succeed it would be a break-through somehow. Chances are though that it will work, but maybe not as good as what the hoppers hoped...

 

[J.D.420]

Regardless if how well it functions you can rest assured it will STAY clipped on.

 

[zymos]

Very little of the negativity is coming from people who actually funded this. There's an undeniable vibe of some people wanting this to fail so they can say "I told you so".

 

[pakalolo]

This thread is about the Grasshopper and its development or lack thereof. It is not about those who participate in this thread so please keep that in mind if you decide to post.

Edit: I just deleted all 11 posts following this one because none of them was about the Grasshopper or its development progress. Please don't make me do this again.

 

[luckypucky]

Tis the 15th, no?

 

[Shrike]

...usually between 21:00 and 00:00 MST...

 

[420time]

update out now.


Hey Everyone,



We’re here with the December 15th update and more news on the progress of the Grasshopper. We’ve been very busy implementing and testing the new parts that have arrived. Since the last update, we’ve received another batch of production PCBs, assembled the control stacks, and we now have a number of Back Ends fully completed and operational.

The arrival of these particular PCBs was a big step forward for us. After months work sourcing components and refining both the circuit and the software, we were ready to have the PCBs machine-assembled. After shipping the components to the fab, we waited for the boards to come in. Two panels of PCBs arrived last Friday, and we began testing right away.

Having tested the circuit extensively on larger hand-assembled PCBs, we were confident that the smaller machine-assembled versions would work. However, the initial results were not good. It quickly became apparent that the fab had made some critical mistakes when placing the components, causing the boards to function incorrectly. After troubleshooting late into the night on Saturday, we were able to remove and replace the incorrectly-oriented components by hand under a microscope. We loaded the software and powered up the boards. The LEDs came on and the heater reached temperature. After extensive testing for the rest of the weekend, we are very pleased to report that everything is working perfectly!

We’ve contacted the fab regarding their mistakes, and they are fast-tracking new PCBs for us. Our sourcing agent is making a visit to ensure that things are done correctly, and we expect to have a new batch in-hand by early next week.

 

[lwien]

And so on...........and so on...........and...........

I'm really curious about something. For those that have invested in this, how long are you willing to wait? Another week, another month, another 6 months, another year? Where's your cutoff date before you say............."Fuck it, I'm outta here.....", or...........is it totally open ended?

I'm not trying to be a smart-ass here. Just tying to understand the mentality of all this.

 

[Fenton Mewley]

And so on...........and so on...........and...........

I'm really curious about something. For those that have invested in this, how long are you willing to wait? Another week, another month, another 6 months, another year? Where's your cutoff date before you say............."Fuck it, I'm outta here.....", or...........is it totally open ended?

I'm not trying to be a smart-ass here. Just tying to understand the mentality of all this.

I say "I'm outta here" when there's no more updates (or money, whichever comes first).

 

[lwien]

I say "I'm outta here" when there's no more updates (or money, whichever comes first).

So if they continue to update you every month for say, another year, you're ok with that?

 

[fft]

And so on...........and so on...........and...........

I'm really curious about something. For those that have invested in this, how long are you willing to wait. Another week, another month, another 6 months, another year? Where's your cutoff date before you say............."Fuck it, I'm outta here.....", or...........is it totally open ended?

I'm not trying to be a smart-ass here. Just tying to understand the mentality of all this.

We've all paid our $ so there is no reason to say fuck it and walk away. Even if I did they would still send me a vape when it was ready. I suppose if I really wanted to show them I could grab my prepper bag out of the closet, get in the car right now and leave the wife, kids and home forever so that when they tried to send me my vape they won't be able to find me. But I'm not quite that jacked up about it yet. Ask me again in another month.

 

[zymos]

What does "I'm outta here" even mean? I gave 'em my hundred bucks and hoped for the best. It's not like I can take it back, even if I wanted to, which I don't.

Kind of a weird choice for a spectator sport though- there must be something more interesting to do...

 

[Shrike]

...they've not shown any boxes for the last three updates...so for me, lwien, I'll give them 1 more update to show me boxes again, or else I might leave forever...or.........not....

 

[grokit]

@420time, you forgot the pics!

Sorry, no boxes

 

[Fenton Mewley]

So if they continue to update you every month for say, another year, you're ok with that?

I don't see why not.

There's nothing for me to lose if I keep following them, well maybe a little bit of patience, but I'm in it til there's nothing left.

 

[luckypucky]

Stop the press.. Forget the boxes that's an assembled top with the SUPER clip attached! progress!

 

[TheWhisper]

Y'all forgot to link the video from the update:

That's a pretty satisfying sounding click.

 

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

For those that have invested in this, how long are you willing to wait?

For the record, I have not invested.

 

[luckypucky]

Y'all forgot to link the video from the update:

That's a pretty satisfying sounding click.

Officially the Christmas of updates thus far!

 

[Stu]

When I saw this first pic, I thought it might be the heater assembly and I got excited for a second. It only took a couple seconds to realize that it was just the clicker.

 

[fft]

I've got to say this thing is looking pretty solid construction-wise. Even after a year there isn't something else comparable that I could have spent my $ on in terms of size and heft. I'm not expecting this thing to compete with my new S&B Mighty in terms of vapor quality. This is going to be a high portability, high stealth vape that can live comfortably in a computer bag and stay in clean condition given its all-stainless construction. I expect it to outperform my now-dead pax by a decent margin, which I gave up on last year but is still the portability king. If it's better than that I will be even happier.

 

[TheWhisper]

Oh, and here's another present

The person who first posted the update text cut out the last few paragraphs, of which the last sentence is great news* (probably an accident, as their version cuts out right where the photo embedding begins and that may have messed up their copying).

Here's the whole update (missing paragraphs in bold):

Hey Everyone,

We’re here with the December 15th update and more news on the progress of the Grasshopper. We’ve been very busy implementing and testing the new parts that have arrived. Since the last update, we’ve received another batch of production PCBs, assembled the control stacks, and we now have a number of Back Ends fully completed and operational.

The arrival of these particular PCBs was a big step forward for us. After months work sourcing components and refining both the circuit and the software, we were ready to have the PCBs machine-assembled. After shipping the components to the fab, we waited for the boards to come in. Two panels of PCBs arrived last Friday, and we began testing right away.

Having tested the circuit extensively on larger hand-assembled PCBs, we were confident that the smaller machine-assembled versions would work. However, the initial results were not good. It quickly became apparent that the fab had made some critical mistakes when placing the components, causing the boards to function incorrectly. After troubleshooting late into the night on Saturday, we were able to remove and replace the incorrectly-oriented components by hand under a microscope. We loaded the software and powered up the boards. The LEDs came on and the heater reached temperature. After extensive testing for the rest of the weekend, we are very pleased to report that everything is working perfectly!

We’ve contacted the fab regarding their mistakes, and they are fast-tracking new PCBs for us. Our sourcing agent is making a visit to ensure that things are done correctly, and we expect to have a new batch in-hand by early next week.


The machined contacts mentioned during last update combine with the PCBs to form the Control Stacks of the Grasshopper. These tiny modular assemblies allow for communication between the front and rear of the device without the use of wires. This is one of the key aspects that make the Grasshopper so durable and reliable.


Installing the rear Control Stack into the Back End allowed us to create mechanically and electrically functioning assemblies. Check out the short video of the very crisp mechanical button operation.


That’s it for this update. The Bodies, Front Ends, and the remainder of the production parts will be arriving in a single shipment very shortly!


The Grasshopper Team

* "The Bodies, Front Ends, and the remainder of the production parts will be arriving in a single shipment very shortly!"

 

[luckypucky]

Oh, and here's another present

The person who first posted the update text cut out the last few paragraphs, of which the last sentence is great news (probably an accident, as their version cuts out right where the photo embedding begins and that may have messed up their copying).

Here's the whole update (missing paragraphs in bold):

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for posting that missing but important last portion of gold!

 

[Grepper]

So I guess these aren't showing up by the end of the year... So lame. At least address the 3rd failed deliver estimate. Or is it the 4th now?
By the way, anyone else notice the two different shades of silver on the back end? Da fuq?

 

[Adobewan]

And so on...........and so on...........and...........

I'm really curious about something. For those that have invested in this, how long are you willing to wait? Another week, another month, another 6 months, another year? Where's your cutoff date before you say............."Fuck it, I'm outta here.....", or...........is it totally open ended?

I'm not trying to be a smart-ass here. Just tying to understand the mentality of all this.

I'm right there with your initial sentiment @lwien , not sure what there is to keep this from perpetuating on and on. I mentioned earlier in the thread, the GH was a lesson in crowdfunding for me. The lack of accountability on the production side makes me question the lifespan of this current model of crowdfunding.

Although, as an investor myself(wow, I'm embarrassed to use the term "investor" in this case, perhaps the more apt term, "Chumplestilskin"), I'm not sure what options there are. I already look at my "donation" as money lend to a relative, I'm likely to never see anything for it. I'm a bit surprised when I see posts of continued faith, although I imagine some of that's the territorial beast within, defending a purchase.
I'd lost my faith in the GH before the seminal "Boxes" update but that would have extinguished whatever remained. We may get one eventually, but I can't muster the faith that it will live up to the promises made.
Fingers crossed that I'm wrong.
With the constant flow of exciting news in the field of portable vapes, the Elevape, the latest S&B offerings, the Arizer Air, we're witnessing the forging furnace of competition and innovation push the envelope.
Perhaps the Grasshopper does reside in our future.

...I just hope it's not retro by the time it comes out.