Grasshopper

Overview

The Grasshopper (often referred to as the "Hopper" or "GH" within the FC community) is a portable, battery-powered dry herb vaporizer manufactured by Hopper Labs, based in Boulder, Colorado. The device was initially crowdfunded via Indiegogo and began shipping to backers in late 2015 and into 2016, though fulfillment was notoriously slow and extended well beyond original estimates.

The Grasshopper is notable for its remarkably small pen-style form factor — roughly the size and shape of a large writing pen — making it one of the most discreet portable vaporizers ever produced. It utilizes a convection heating method and operates as an on-demand vaporizer, meaning it heats up rapidly and does not require extended session-style draw times. The device is powered by a proprietary rechargeable 18650-style lithium-ion battery (designated GHB2) and features a variable temperature dial integrated into the back end of the unit.

The Grasshopper was available in both stainless steel and titanium body variants, the latter offered in multiple anodized colors including blue. The stainless steel version retailed at approximately $225, while titanium models commanded a premium.

Specifications

Community Reception

The Grasshopper was one of the most hotly discussed and divisive vaporizers in FC history. When working properly, the device was widely praised for its revolutionary form factor, near-instant heat-up time, powerful convection extraction, and true on-demand capability. Community members noted that it could produce "bad ass clouds" and offered a vaping experience well-suited to users who preferred quick, one-or-two-hit sessions rather than prolonged session-style vaping.

Pros (as discussed by the community):

• Extremely compact, pen-sized form factor — unmatched stealth and portability
• Very fast heat-up time (seconds, not minutes)
• True on-demand convection heating — ideal for users who take a hit or two and set the device down
• Powerful vapor production relative to its size
• Lifetime warranty offered by Hopper Labs

Cons (as discussed by the community):

• Severe quality control (QC) and reliability issues — this was the dominant concern throughout the device's history on FC. Units frequently arrived dead on arrival (DOA) or failed within a short period of use, leading to a cycle community members described as "playing vape tag through the mail"
• Extremely long shipping delays, both for initial orders and warranty replacements — wait times of months were common
• Ambiguous and confusing failure symptoms — users often struggled to diagnose whether their unit was truly broken or experiencing a different issue, with community members "trying to parse the types" of failures
• High "infant mortality/DOA rate" as described by long-time community member Baron23
• Battery life was limited, with some GHB2 batteries degrading over time (users reported some batteries "working better than others")
• Warranty transfer for secondhand units required a fee

Baron23, a well-known FC contributor, captured the community's conflicted sentiment well: his own unit had "gone strong without a hiccup for about 9 months or so," yet he still hesitated "to purchase another or recommend it to newer vaporists" due to the persistent reliability concerns. This tension — between a genuinely impressive vaping experience and deeply unreliable hardware — defined the Grasshopper's legacy on FC.

A community survey was attempted in early 2017 to determine whether the high failure rates reported on FC represented a true widespread problem or were amplified by self-selection bias (i.e., users with problems being more likely to post). The results remained inconclusive, though the sheer volume of warranty and repair discussions in the main Grasshopper thread suggested the issues were systemic rather than isolated.

Tips & Techniques

Due to the limited detail in the available thread data, specific community techniques are not extensively documented here. However, key usage principles that emerged from community discussion include:

• On-demand usage style: The Grasshopper is best suited for users who take one or two draws and then set the device down. Unlike session vaporizers (such as the Arizer Air), there is no need to commit to a full 10–15 minute session. Users transitioning from pipe smoking found this style particularly natural.
• Battery management: Carry multiple charged GHB2 batteries, as battery life per charge is limited. Community members selling their units often included multiple batteries, acknowledging that not all batteries maintain equal performance over time.
• Draw technique: The convection heating responds to airflow — a slow, steady draw is generally recommended for convection vaporizers to allow the hot air to fully pass through the herb chamber.

Temperature Guide

The Grasshopper features a continuously adjustable temperature dial on its rear end, but the available thread data does not include specific community-recommended temperature settings or documented sweet spots. The user "redcon" noted that they preferred warmer, more throat-hitting vapor, suggesting the Grasshopper could deliver satisfying warmth at higher dial settings. Community members generally noted that the device was capable of full extraction of active compounds.

Note: Users seeking specific temperature guidance are encouraged to consult the main Grasshopper thread, which contained extensive discussion of dial settings and their effects.

Maintenance & Cleaning

Specific cleaning procedures were not detailed in the available thread data. However, based on the device's design:

• The front-end/oven section is removable and interchangeable (bronze and standard options were available), facilitating cleaning
• Mouthpieces (silicone, rubber, glass) can be removed and cleaned separately
• Users selling their devices noted that keeping the "oven and body clean" was achievable with light use

Common Issues & Fixes

The Grasshopper was plagued by well-documented reliability issues throughout its production life:

Community-suggested mitigations:

• Purchase with awareness of the warranty process and potential downtime
• Keep multiple batteries on hand
• Register the device immediately for warranty coverage
• If purchasing secondhand, budget for the warranty transfer fee (~$45) or accept the risk of owning an unwarrantied unit
• Some users maintained backup vaporizers specifically to cover Grasshopper downtime

Accessories & Modifications

• Mouthpieces: Silicone tip (included), rubber tip, and glass mouthpiece options were available
• Front ends: Interchangeable front-end/oven assemblies, including a bronze option
• Delta3D Leather Case: A purpose-built leather carrying case produced by Delta3D Studios, sought after by community members for its quality and fit
• Water Pipe Adapter (WPA): The Grasshopper's form factor was compatible with water pipe use, though specific WPA details were not extensively covered in the available threads
• Batteries: GHB2 proprietary batteries; users commonly kept 4 or more on hand
• Charger: A proprietary battery charger was included with the device

Comparisons

Grasshopper vs. Arizer Air

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

Community member j-bug summarized the dilemma: "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." For users who specifically wanted on-demand hits rather than sessions, the community often recommended the Firewood as a more reliably obtainable alternative, or butane-powered options like the VapMan, Vaporgenie (VG), or Hammer for immediate availability.

Grasshopper vs. Sticky Brick (OG/Junior)

While a thread existed comparing these devices, minimal discussion data was available. Both serve on-demand users, but the Sticky Brick line uses butane torch heating rather than battery power, offering a different user experience with no electronic failure points.

Grasshopper vs. DaVinci IQ

Both devices were grouped together in community discussions about vaporizers with notable QC issues. A 2017 community survey attempted to quantify the failure rates of both devices to determine whether reported problems were widespread or amplified by forum selection bias. The Grasshopper's reliability issues were generally considered more severe and systemic than the IQ's.

Counterfeit Units

A notable phenomenon in the Grasshopper's history was the emergence of Chinese counterfeit units sold through platforms like Alibaba and eBay, discussed on FC as early as May 2016. These knockoffs appeared while many legitimate pre-order customers were still waiting for their units — a fact that generated considerable frustration in the community.

Community members reported that some buyers purchased multiple counterfeit units (one account described a buyer obtaining 10 knockoffs from Alibaba) as an alternative to waiting for legitimate orders. Claims that counterfeits performed comparably to genuine units were treated skeptically by the community, as the reviewers typically did not own authentic Grasshoppers for direct comparison. The counterfeits carried no warranty. FC moderators actively removed links to counterfeit product listings.