The Grasshopper

[hiphopvaporman]

3 minutes ago: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/grasshopper-vaporizer#activity

I haven't even read it yet i'm so excited.

3 minutes ago

Hey Everyone,

We returned from a long and successful trip in China this last weekend. After spending over two weeks visiting manufacturers and solving problems on the spot, it was obvious that such a trip was necessary.

The Grasshopper battery has been one of the biggest challenges of the project. Its custom size and insane discharge requirements made it hard to design and even harder to manufacture. Naturally, we were excited to visit our factory and see what we had invested in. The results were good. The factory was working on labeling and testing some of our second-batch batteries.

Our trip then took us to visit our machining manufacturer, molding manufacturer and circuit board fabricator. Each of these visits went well, and we were happy with the quality of work that we observed. We expected to receive production samples of the Ti and Color parts during our visit, but our manufacturer told us that the titanium they ordered had not arrived in time. This was obviously disappointing, and we reaffirmed our expectation to have these parts in-hand as soon as possible.

Stainless Screen!

Serial number and model marking. What number do you want?


During our last few days in China, we received a call from our heater manufacturer in the US. We’d ramped our order size a few weeks prior, and they were having problems getting a reasonable yield rate in mass-production. They proceeded to tell us that they would only be able to deliver 30 parts per week at a revised cost of $40ea in the near-term. This was some bad news, and we knew that we needed to get to their facility as fast as possible to work out a solution. Redirecting our flights out of China, we headed directly to the northeast United States.

We arrived at their facility after 27 hours of travel, and immediately got to work on a solution. After a few days of intensive problem-solving, we were back down close to our original numbers. While we were supposed to have thousands of heaters in-stock by now, it was still a victory to not be permanently crippled by the issue. By our departure on Friday afternoon, the manufacturer was assuring us that heaters would begin shipping in within the month.

The China trip was a success, and we feel confident about our operations there. Look for more units to trickle out over the next few weeks as the heater manufacturer gets into gear. We’re smoothing out the last few bumps, which is a good place to be. Check back on the 15th for another update.

The Grasshopper Team

 

[Mister G]

I'll save you the trip. New screen with pic! Add'l manufacturing complications and delay but some units may still ship soon.

 

[hiphopvaporman]

Looks like Ti units will be delayed more than SS.

Not sure what they mean by "By our departure on Friday afternoon, the manufacturer was assuring us that heaters would begin shipping in within the month." When was this written? Do they mean by the end of April? Hope not...

"Look for more units to trickle out over the next few weeks as the heater manufacturer gets into gear" What do they mean by "more" units, none have been shipped so far...

 

[vapemon]

well according to their original lie, "some"(none) units were shipped. I also dont uderstand but the "within" the month I think means by the end of april

 

[HillaryClinton]

Seems like its on the factory end, not so much the fault of them, they jump the gun on the updates to much(Shipment date wise) but they are new to this whole game. Still disappointing but fussing over it wont make it any better....oh well.

 

[hiphopvaporman]

well according to their original lie, "some"(none) units were shipped. I also dont uderstand but the "within" the month I think means by the end of april

Actually, I think I understand now, they met with them on Friday, March 27th and were assured heaters would ship by the end of the month (March). Imagine if they could only get 30 heaters a week... although they don't have thousands of units, at least they will receive "close to our original numbers"

 

[CarolKing]

I know it must be a disappointment but it would be worse to wind up with a bunch of faulty units. You want it done right and it sounds like they do too.

The company needs to be more conservative with the dates they throw out. Folks get excited then they're hopes get dashed. It's a lot like the Ascent was before it came out. Too many dates that come and go without the vape ready for delivery.

 

[baltik]

As an early backer that paid up for the early bird package - I am excited about the product itself and impressed with the engineering skills of the Grasshopper team. Having said that I will never give these guys another penny for anything. "the manufacturer was assuring us that heaters would begin shipping in within the month." So not only are they backing off shipping in April but they *may* get the heaters this month and *may* begin assembly, that's assuming the revised design works perfectly with no revisions necessary and the manufacturing yield is satisfactory. In March we were told "The very first units went out last week, and a lot more are on their way." which we know is simply not true since there is only one Grasshopper in the wild. In February "The Grasshopper will likely start to trickle ship before the end of the month.". In January "We could start shipping almost immediately, but we need to make those few small changes first. We’re almost there." December it was "We plan to have our first production units fully assembled before the New Year."

Look $hitt happens and building a globally sourced, mass produced product is difficult. However these guys are complete BS artists at best and complete liars at worst. Fool me once shame on you.. and I will be voting with my dollars for the producer that treats their backers like adults and gives honest and reliable updates as opposed to delivering chocolate covered turds twice a month

 

[hiphopvaporman]

As an early backer that paid up for the early bird package - I am excited about the product itself and impressed with the engineering skills of the Grasshopper team. Having said that I will never give these guys another penny for anything. "the manufacturer was assuring us that heaters would begin shipping in within the month." So not only are they backing off shipping in April but they *may* get the heaters this month and *may* begin assembly, that's assuming the revised design works perfectly with no revisions necessary and the manufacturing yield is satisfactory. In March we were told "The very first units went out last week, and a lot more are on their way." which we know is simply not true since there is only one Grasshopper in the wild. In February "The Grasshopper will likely start to trickle ship before the end of the month.". In January "We could start shipping almost immediately, but we need to make those few small changes first. We’re almost there." December it was "We plan to have our first production units fully assembled before the New Year."

Look $hitt happens and building a globally sourced, mass produced product is difficult. However these guys are complete BS artists at best and complete liars at worst. Fool me once shame on you.. and I will be voting with my dollars for the producer that treats their backers like adults and gives honest and reliable updates as opposed to delivering chocolate covered turds twice a month

Holy hell. I really didn't realize they made so many false statements in the previous updates. I really want to believe in this but why do they keep stringing us along rather than give realistic ship dates? The site still states a May 2015 ship date for preorders but they will need to ship backer units ASAP to keep that promise.

 

[Shrike]

...who cares about manufacturing fuck-ups or delays??

...where's the pictures of more BOXES!!!

 

[hiphopvaporman]

And is that what your screen looks like @BuzzDanklin? I remember you mentioned seeing an updated screen on their computer and you mentioned a honeycomb shape. Looks like this is it. Thoughts?

 

[1_gr8_underdog]

check back on the 15th for another update.

 

[JigMelon]

I can only hope that this last delay was an April Fool's joke, and that we will be getting our devices by 4/20.

 

[Shrike]

...oh yeah...and don't forget to check back in for the May 1st update...during that one we'll learn that the units are almost ready to be shipped out...Really! Almost!!

 

[SmokinMagic]

This is really disappointing.. I understand manufacturing issues, but was I the only one that didn't know they were still tinkering with the parts? I knew about the screen, but I was under the impression that the batteries were finished and just needed manufactured.

Any more surprises up your sleeves Grasshopper?

 

[blankexpression]

Expecting a plate of caviar. Served a plate of frogs spawn. I want to know the design compromise on the heater. There has to be one!

 

[BuzzDanklin]

That is upsetting to hear that there was an issue with the heaters causing a delay Hopefully they meant heaters would be arriving by the end of March and not April when they said the end of the month.

@hiphopvaporman that is not the screen in my unit, my unit has basically a standard flat screen that is modified slightly, the one they showed in this update is the one I saw on the computer, with the honeycomb holes.

 

[Mrbinky]

Expecting a plate of caviar. Served a plate of frogs spawn. I want to know the design compromise on the heater. There has to be one!

Back down to 30 watts? Maybe heating up in twice the time as in the video? Maybe the battery capacity is less as well?

 

[theCerberus]

...oh yeah...and don't forget to check back in for the May 1st update...during that one we'll learn that the units are almost ready to be shipped out...Really! Almost!!

What happens when one of these super custom produced parts from one of these Chinese manufacturers has a major problem or up and goes out of business?

Consider its a bunch of custom parts that take forever to get right.
So many links in the chain where problems can occur in the future.
Its taken them this long to get off the ground, and they are still not off yet.

Its a nightmare.
These are all minor things that caused major delays.
What happens if a major problem occurs with a manufacturer? These guys would be screwed.

That is upsetting to hear that there was an issue with the heaters causing a delay Hopefully they meant heaters would be arriving by the end of March and not April when they said the end of the month.

@hiphopvaporman that is not the screen in my unit, my unit has basically a standard flat screen that is modified slightly, the one they showed in this update is the one I saw on the computer, with the honeycomb holes.

You would know more than us.
But I would assume with Grasshopper's track record that they meant April, or at least will clarify it meant end of April on the May 1st update.

 

[Mrbinky]

That is upsetting to hear that there was an issue with the heaters causing a delay Hopefully they meant heaters would be arriving by the end of March and not April when they said the end of the month.

@hiphopvaporman that is not the screen in my unit, my unit has basically a standard flat screen that is modified slightly, the one they showed in this update is the one I saw on the computer, with the honeycomb holes.

At least the screen will be as promised.

 

[lwien]

At least the screen will be as promised.

Not only that, but the screen comes in it's own box.

 

[Mrbinky]

What happens when one of these super custom produced parts from one of these Chinese manufacturers up and goes out of business?

Consider its a bunch of custom parts that take forever to get right.
So many links in the chain where problems can occur in the future.
Its taken them this long to get off the ground, and the are still not off yet.

Its a nightmare.
These are all minor things that cause major delays. What happens if a major problem occurs with a manufacturer? These guys would be screwed.

A lot of companies manage to get it right in China. Look at what goes into an iPhone.

But these guys were inexperienced and a bit naive. The last couple of weeks were probably hell for them, and I'll bet all of the fancy company meals they've attended, with shots of baijio no doubt, didn't make it much better. I remember when I was trying to deal with suppliers there...heavy sigh...

 

[Spinuch]

Bit scary they mention being permanently crippled. I'm sure more so for them than me.

 

[HillaryClinton]

with shots of baijio no doubt,

 

[lwien]

A lot of companies manage to get it right in China. Look at what goes into an iPhone.

Uh, I think Apple has a few more resources available to them then Grasshopper, eh?

But these guys were inexperienced and a bit naive. The last couple of weeks were probably hell for them, and I'll bet all of the fancy company meals they've attended, with shots of baijio no doubt, didn't make it much better. I remember when I was trying to deal with suppliers there...heavy sigh...

With different Chinese manufacturers, each making a different custom part.......Um....as someone said previously, there's just so many different things that can go wrong here. Hell, even each of those manufactures can claim that they got faulty parts from THEIR suppliers.......And this shit can happen even in mid-production, let alone giving birth to the GH.

You guys know that I was skeptical of this whole thing from the very beginning even before they made their initial funding goal and these most recent events makes me even more concerned.

With all of the complexities of working with offshore manufacturing of custom designed parts and the management of these complexities are being done by people who are totally inexperienced, not only in the manufacturing game, but in the marketing game as well I think their only saving grace would be for them to sell out to a company who has the resources and know-how to bring a product like this to market along with the experience and resources to maintain the quality of that product through all of the future production cycles.

Coming up with a great design is one thing. Being able to produce it and market it on a large scale is quite another.

And then..........what will happen when the inevitable problems arise after the units enter the market. How will they be able to handle THAT. Witness the problems that MiniVape is currently having and those guys have been at it for much longer.

I guess the bottom line is this. They raised a lot of money, but how long will that money last without generating any profits? How much did they have to pay to these fabricators before they received any parts? Can they bring their product to market at their target price and can they survive the inevitable growing pains that have not even begun yet?