Cur
Member
Well folks, the time has come. I soon will be transitioning out of my current job with mandatory random drug screenings and will be able to enjoy my long-lost passion. In preparation thereof, and while I have a good paycheck, I have toyed with the idea of buying a quality lab glass bong. A well-known large Internet retailer is currently having a sale for 20% off site-wide. I've narrowed my choices down to these four, and would like to hear opinions on quality/value. The difference between the cheapest tube and the most expensive beaker is $83, the difference between the most expensive tube and the cheapest beaker is $32, and from the cheapest beaker to the most expensive is $43.
Ehle 45mmx5mm tube with ice pinches. Current price $140. I understand they are the epiphone to RooR's Gibson, but how high quality are the tubes themselves? Are the joints sturdy? Does anybody have experience with an Ehle straight tube? 18mm>18mm downstem.
Medicali 45x5mm straight tube with ice pinches. Current price is $148. Same as above, but American-made. I notice the joint has a much different profile than the Ehle or RooR. What's the deal with that? How is the quality of the jointery and welds? I've heard (read) Medicali had issues with QC earlier on, but that they have come quite a way since then.
US Tubes 14", 5mm thick beaker base with ice ring. Current price, not on sale, $180. Really attractive, and I've heard great things about US tubes, although at 5mm thick is there going to be much of a difference from the others I am entertaining?
Ehle Myers beaker base 45mmx5mm with ice pinches. Current price $180. I like the idea of a beaker because on my old green star the ice would melt and cause the water to overflow during a long session. The beaker seems to allow more of buffer for ice--and I used to love using ice.
RooR little sistah 45mmx5mm with ice pinches. Current price $223. The most expensive of my choices, but also the most deeply discounted price. The only downside is it is only in stock with 14mm>14mm downstem. The RooR is a known quantity, and I will say, I spent some time as a teenager in Germany so RooR, despite being overpriced, has a special nostalgia to me. However, I am not sold on the idea of spending an extra $80 on nostalgia alone. However, if the joints and glass is worth the difference (in addition to the personal nostalgia) I will gladly pay the difference.
As you can tell, I like scientific glass. Im not much for heady work on bongs... I certainly can appreciate it, but it's not something for which I'm willing to pay the price.
Please give your experience. I'm not interested in any brands that I haven't listed here, so I appreciate those of you who will likely say "what about X or Y?" but that is not what I am looking for. Thanks to all of you in advance!
Ehle 45mmx5mm tube with ice pinches. Current price $140. I understand they are the epiphone to RooR's Gibson, but how high quality are the tubes themselves? Are the joints sturdy? Does anybody have experience with an Ehle straight tube? 18mm>18mm downstem.
Medicali 45x5mm straight tube with ice pinches. Current price is $148. Same as above, but American-made. I notice the joint has a much different profile than the Ehle or RooR. What's the deal with that? How is the quality of the jointery and welds? I've heard (read) Medicali had issues with QC earlier on, but that they have come quite a way since then.
US Tubes 14", 5mm thick beaker base with ice ring. Current price, not on sale, $180. Really attractive, and I've heard great things about US tubes, although at 5mm thick is there going to be much of a difference from the others I am entertaining?
Ehle Myers beaker base 45mmx5mm with ice pinches. Current price $180. I like the idea of a beaker because on my old green star the ice would melt and cause the water to overflow during a long session. The beaker seems to allow more of buffer for ice--and I used to love using ice.
RooR little sistah 45mmx5mm with ice pinches. Current price $223. The most expensive of my choices, but also the most deeply discounted price. The only downside is it is only in stock with 14mm>14mm downstem. The RooR is a known quantity, and I will say, I spent some time as a teenager in Germany so RooR, despite being overpriced, has a special nostalgia to me. However, I am not sold on the idea of spending an extra $80 on nostalgia alone. However, if the joints and glass is worth the difference (in addition to the personal nostalgia) I will gladly pay the difference.
As you can tell, I like scientific glass. Im not much for heady work on bongs... I certainly can appreciate it, but it's not something for which I'm willing to pay the price.
Please give your experience. I'm not interested in any brands that I haven't listed here, so I appreciate those of you who will likely say "what about X or Y?" but that is not what I am looking for. Thanks to all of you in advance!
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