Grasshopper

# Grasshopper

Overview

The Grasshopper (often abbreviated as "GH" or referred to simply as "the Hopper") is a portable, pen-style dry herb vaporizer manufactured by Hopper Labs, based in Boulder, Colorado. The device was originally funded through an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign and began shipping to backers in approximately 2015–2016, though fulfillment timelines were a persistent source of community discussion.

The Grasshopper utilizes a convection heating method and is powered by a proprietary rechargeable lithium-ion battery. It is notable for its remarkably compact pen-like form factor—roughly the size and shape of a writing pen—which made it one of the stealthiest portable vaporizers on the market at the time of its release. The device features on-demand heating, meaning it heats the herb only when the user inhales, rather than maintaining a set temperature throughout a session. This on-demand approach distinguished it sharply from session-style portables and was a key part of its appeal.

The Grasshopper was available in two primary body materials: stainless steel and titanium. The titanium version was offered in several anodized color options, including blue. The stainless steel model was the more affordable option, retailing at approximately $225 USD during its primary sales period.

Specifications

Note: The proprietary GHB2 batteries were specific to the Grasshopper and not interchangeable with standard consumer batteries. Community members noted that battery performance could vary, with some batteries in a set working noticeably better than others over time.

Community Reception

The Grasshopper was one of the most discussed and debated vaporizers in the community's history, inspiring both fervent devotion and deep frustration in roughly equal measure.

Praise:

When the Grasshopper worked as intended, community members widely acknowledged it as an exceptional device. Its near-instant heat-up time, true convection on-demand heating, and pen-sized form factor were seen as groundbreaking. For users who described their consumption style as taking one or two draws and then setting the device down for ten to fifteen minutes—rather than sitting through a full session—the Grasshopper was regarded as an ideal match. One community member explicitly stated they were returning a session-style portable in favor of the Grasshopper because they were "not a session person." The vapor quality was praised, with the device capable of producing substantial clouds despite its diminutive size.

One experienced community member reported that their Grasshopper had "gone strong without a hiccup for about 9 months," demonstrating that when units were functioning properly, they could deliver a satisfying and reliable experience.

Criticism:

The Grasshopper's reputation was significantly marred by two persistent and interrelated problems: quality control issues and shipping/fulfillment delays.

The community widely discussed what was described as a high "infant mortality/DOA rate"—a notable percentage of units arrived defective or failed within a short period of use. One member characterized the prospect of receiving a working Grasshopper as "a bit of an assumption." Failure symptoms were described as "ambiguous and confusing," with users often struggling to diagnose whether their unit needed warranty service. The phrase "playing vape tag through the mail" entered community parlance to describe the frustrating cycle of sending units in for warranty repair, receiving them back, and experiencing new or recurring failures.

The same experienced member who praised their working unit also noted that they hesitated to "purchase another or recommend it to newer vaporists" due to the ongoing reliability concerns. A community survey was even organized to try to determine whether the reported failure rates were truly representative or were being amplified by the self-selection bias of users seeking help online. The results remained inconclusive, but the volume of complaints was substantial enough that reliability was considered a genuine concern rather than a vocal minority issue.

Shipping and wait times were another major point of contention. Throughout much of the device's availability, new orders could involve waits of two months or more. One community member noted that Hopper Labs' shipping estimates were "probably unreliable." The frustration was compounded by the fact that Chinese counterfeit units appeared on platforms like Alibaba and eBay while many legitimate pre-order customers were still waiting for their orders—a situation one community member described as "hectic."

Overall Sentiment:

The community's consensus might be summarized as: the Grasshopper was a visionary device with a deeply flawed execution. It represented what many users wanted in a portable vaporizer—true on-demand convection in a pocketable form—but the reliability and customer service issues prevented it from achieving the widespread recommendation it might otherwise have earned.

Tips & Techniques

Community discussion of Grasshopper technique was somewhat limited in the available threads, though several practical insights emerged:

• On-Demand Draw Technique: The Grasshopper's convection heating means the herb is only heated when air is pulled through the device. Users found that slow, steady draws produced the best vapor, allowing the hot air to fully pass through the packed chamber.
• Short Session Use: The device excelled for users who preferred to take one or two draws at a time and return to the same load later. The on-demand nature meant no herb was wasted between draws, unlike session vaporizers that continue to cook the material.
• Loading: The chamber should be loaded without excessive packing to allow airflow, consistent with convection vaporizer best practices. Overpacking was likely to restrict airflow and reduce vapor quality.
• Battery Management: Given the variable performance of GHB2 batteries over time, community members recommended keeping multiple charged batteries on hand. Users with four batteries noted that "two working better than the others" was a common experience, suggesting rotation and eventual replacement were part of ownership.

Temperature Guide

The Grasshopper features a continuously adjustable temperature dial on the rear of the device. While specific community-agreed temperature sweet spots were not extensively documented in the available threads, general convection vaporizer principles apply:

The original poster in one comparison thread noted that they preferred a warm, throat-tickling draw, suggesting higher temperature settings would suit that preference. The Grasshopper was noted for producing "bad ass clouds" at higher temperatures.

Caution: At the highest temperature settings, users should be mindful of the risk of approaching combustion temperatures, particularly if drawing very slowly.

Maintenance & Cleaning

Detailed cleaning protocols were not extensively discussed in the available threads. General best practices for convection pen-style vaporizers apply:

• Oven/Chamber: Regular cleaning of the chamber with isopropyl alcohol (ISO) and a cotton swab to remove residue.
• Mouthpiece/Front End: The Grasshopper's front end (available in standard and bronze options) and mouthpiece should be cleaned periodically. Glass mouthpieces can be soaked in ISO.
• Screen: Ensure the screen remains clear of buildup to maintain proper airflow, which is critical for convection performance.
• Exterior: The stainless steel or titanium body can be wiped down with ISO.

One seller's listing described a unit as having a clean oven and body after only four or five sessions, suggesting that light use resulted in minimal residue buildup.

Common Issues & Fixes

The Grasshopper was widely known in the community for its reliability challenges:

Recommendation: The community generally advised prospective buyers to factor in the likelihood of at least one warranty exchange when considering a Grasshopper purchase. Having a backup vaporizer was considered prudent.

Accessories & Modifications

• Mouthpieces: The Grasshopper shipped with options including a silicone mouthpiece, rubber tip, and glass mouthpiece. The glass mouthpiece was favored by many for flavor purity.
• Water Pipe Adapter (WPA): The Grasshopper could be used with water filtration through compatible adapters, which was popular for cooling the vapor at higher temperature settings.
• Delta3D Leather Case: A purpose-built leather carrying case manufactured by Delta3D Studios was a sought-after accessory. At least one community member actively sought to purchase one after they became difficult to find, suggesting limited production or discontinuation.
• Bronze Front End: An alternative front-end piece was available in bronze as a cosmetic or functional option.
• Extra Batteries and Charger: Given battery variability, owning four or more GHB2 batteries and the proprietary charger was considered essential for regular users.
• Clip Removal: At least one community member reported cutting the pocket clip from the rear of the device for ergonomic or aesthetic reasons, though this modification may have affected warranty eligibility.

Comparisons

Grasshopper vs. Arizer Air

This was one of the most directly discussed comparisons in the community. The two devices represented fundamentally different vaping philosophies:

Community members observed that for users who preferred a pipe-like, on-demand draw style, the Grasshopper was the superior choice—but only if the unit functioned properly. For users who valued reliability and didn't mind session-style use, the Arizer Air was the safer recommendation. As one community member succinctly put it: "a future vape that may or may not work is less good than one of the most reliable portables on the market already in your hand."

Grasshopper vs. Firewood

The Firewood (likely the Firewood 3 or 4 at the time of discussion) was frequently recommended as an alternative for users drawn to the Grasshopper's on-demand convection heating but wary of its reliability issues. Community members described the Firewood as a device that "fully extracts the actives" with on-demand convection, and noted that while it was also periodically out of stock, it was restocked on a more predictable schedule than the Grasshopper shipped.

Grasshopper vs. Butane Vaporizers

For users specifically seeking on-demand heating in a portable package, community members also suggested butane-powered alternatives including the Vapman, VaporGenie (VG), Hammer, and Sticky Brick (OG and Junior models). These were noted as more immediately available options that could deliver on-demand performance without the electronic reliability concerns that plagued the Grasshopper.

Grasshopper vs. DaVinci IQ

Both the Grasshopper and DaVinci IQ were subjects of a community survey investigating quality assurance issues. Both devices were perceived as having higher-than-acceptable failure rates, prompting one community member to design a formal survey to determine whether reports of problems were representative or amplified by selection bias. The two devices were linked in community discussion as cautionary examples of vaporizers with appealing features but questionable reliability.

Counterfeit Units

Chinese-manufactured counterfeit Grasshoppers appeared on platforms such as Alibaba and eBay during a period when legitimate pre-orders still faced lengthy delays. One account described a buyer who purchased ten counterfeit units from Alibaba, reasoning that the volume would offset the lack of warranty. Claims that counterfeits performed comparably to genuine units were treated with skepticism by the community, as the individuals making such claims typically did not own authentic Grasshoppers for comparison. The community strongly cautioned against purchasing counterfeits, and forum moderators removed links to counterfeit product listings.

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This article is based on discussions from a popular vaporizer community forum that operated for over 15 years. Information reflects community experiences and opinions as documented in forum threads from approximately 2015–2020.