Dirty Rico (DR) Glass

Hehehe

Sorry, been waiting 3 hours, since I woke up, for my friggin' wake and vape! I'll upload pictures after unpacking and getting my meds on.

Funny, and I was just thinking to myself "When are we going to see the 'Dirty Rico Glass Appreciation Thread' thread".

I had thought about creating this thread last night as well. Congrats on the piece BDV Can't wait to see a video of it in action

That's pretty bad-ass.

OK... I did the unboxing and will have pity and post them, while I go late-wake and vape. I did find one small flaw, but its so minor. The only bubbles I could find is a very small group (maybe 2mm total diameter). They're near the surface, so I'm not worried about breakage. Plus, its built like my Leviathan... like a tank.

While, I want it to be "perfect", after all my glass experiences I know that's next to impossible and typically, it just turns into this never ending circle of pissed off people. They send a replacement, you find a bigger flaw, then they think you're a pain in the ass... etc.

It works, its clean and its beautiful. Little tiny bubbles, or not.

Bomb-proof packaging










Bubbles (the smudge looking thing middle of the perc)





Done some water tests so far. Likes water level, the same as a showerhead. The perc fires nicely, from the top, down as you apply more pull. Very fine control of the amount of perc you want.

So you all check out the pics. NOW I'm going to medicate.

Love the pics BDV. How did it perform with the vape?

Well, I usually self-censor myself, "@$&#".

Right now, I'm kind of speechless. First impression... HOLY @#$% BALLS!*

EDIT: *couldn't let that go. lol

Some action shots






On just a perc test, its hard to fire the entire perc on some pieces. However, when pulling for the clear, the added pressure release fires the full perc. This took some serious pull, to fire this off.

Video WILL be posted before you wake for your morning coffee and vape, mom. Son isn't showing up until tomorrow (boys, being boys... or I should say. sailors being sailors... getting their drunk on)

But, here's the review!

Dirty Rico (DR) Apocoline Bubbler Review

Initial Impressions
I was drawn to this piece, primarily by the perc to tube size and the anti-showerhead. I don't know how else to describe it. Its a tree perc, with all the spaces/tubes filled in and tiny little perc holes up and down, between each "tube". I don't know how many holes, I'll count later... but they're tiny and they make many tiny, little bubbles. Because the space between the outer wall of the perc and inside of the can, are so close. Little bubbles smash into each other, form bigger bubbles and it results in the absolute smoothest piece, I have ever hit.

So far, the only thing I've found that limits the size of rip I take, is my lung capacity. I can't say that for any other piece of glass I own and I've got some smooth ones.

Build Quality
Reminds me of the Leviathans, the glass has that same smoothness and tank-like build quality, though 5mm vs 7mm. Feels very sturdy in the hand. With the extra wide 5" base, it sits stable as a rock.

If there is any off-center/lean to the perc, I can't see it. Looks to be perfectly centered in the can. There are (correction) 2 small areas, with bubble flaws. Both are on the perc, within 1/4" of each other. Both are negligible in my opinion. They don't effect function, nor will they ever.

The brace of the mouthpiece seems unnecessary, but appreciated. Anything that adds to the strength of a glass peace, is a good thing.

Styling
First thing that drew me to the piece, was the looks. I liked the long lean can, the rounded top, reminiscent of the old Mobius bubblers. The perc, sparkles like jewels. I think the only thing that compares is the hand-woven lattice on the FC bubbler.

The design/shape of the piece, is perfect for wrapping your hand around the can. The mouthpiece, round and cupped, allowing for a nice seal. It is truly a comfortable piece to hold in your hand, with that nice 50mm can wall and the height, allowing enough room, for even the largest hands.

Placement and bend of the mouthpiece, allows for adequate view into the can, for controlling/judging vapor density.

Function
As I mentioned, hits are big and smooth. There is virtually no drag to this piece. I only feel it, when my GonG tube is loaded, towards the end of it being useful.

Flavor comes on strong. I broke it in with some White Night, then another tube, topped with a couple mm of top shelf kief. Both instances, it was easy to distinguish the flavors. During the draw, I can't feel so much as a tickle in the back of my throat. At no time, was any heat on the draw.

Repeating myself, it is the smoothest hitter, I've had the pleasure of owning/using. I thought the SSFG in 3pc form and the Lev lattice were smooth. But, on both those pieces, I'm drawn to cough at some point during the pull, because of that last little bit, that irritates the throat. I have yet to experience any of that.

I've only tried my HI with it so far, but its a perfect match. They even kind of look alike, in the design. With my other pieces, loading my normal amount... I can stretch it out to 5 or 6 hits. The Dirty Rico, can lay waste to a load in 2 hits. That's amazing.

The can doesn't really milk up, because the size of the inner downstem wall. I'm guessing around 30mm, which is pretty significant.

Definitely part of a shrinking daily rotation. This like my big tube, will more than likely get several days of use, before swapping out. Its a blast to use, with its unique styling/design, more than tough enough for glass aficionados. Unless you're just a straight up klutz, this piece will hold up to most anything.

Wrap-up

When I showed this to my wife, she gasped and said, "$250 for that!?". After I walked out with a huge @#$%-eating grin on my face, I noted it was possibly the best $250 I've ever spent. I was worried I was setting myself up for a fall, with lofty expectations. I kept staring at the pictures all night, had trouble sleeping. Woke up early, agonizing over the wait. No way, could this live up to what I had made it in my mind. Imagine my surprise when it far exceeded it.

If you've been considering one of these Apocoline pieces and you're sitting on the fence. Jump off and just do it. If you've ever wanted one, don't wonder if you should, just do it.

My only warning, would be the same that was given to me... I'm not sure how this would handle combustion. Looks like it would clog rather easily. Though, as with some of my other pieces, I can watch the vapor rez forming on each hit... this stays pretty clean. The wide/thick inner downstem, collecting the majority of it

I've decided to revise my rating scale. I'm not sure which route I want to take, but it will probably be based on 1 - 5, or 1 - 10 BDV mini skulls. Having said that, this piece is off the charts, even taking into account 2 small imperfections. A++, 5 out of 5 stars, 10 out of 10. I want the dual now!

I've been admiring the apocoline from afar for a little while. You've got a hell of a collection at this point. Count me in on waiting for that video

That is one pretty piece, looking forward to the video. How's the draw speed? Can you pull as hard as you want, like with the Lev FC?

I've only been able to suck water once. I had a loaded and a bit packed tube I was pulling on (no heat... just screwing around) and when I yanked it, I pulled real hard on the mouthpiece. Not a choking amount... but enough to say, "hey, don't do that".

Dirty Rico Initial Observation Follow-Up

So, I've had time for another session. Few more observations/revisions. I wanted to think about them for a bit, before passing judgement. Though, my opinion of the piece hasn't really changed.

The endless or no lung capacity limit, was a LIE! It was the strain. White Night is a real smooooooooth vape. Its a bit too heavy for me, for that time of day... knocks me on my ass and puts me to sleep. Why I had to follow up that session with a hot shower, food and drink run.

Switching it up to Girl Scout Cookies and there's a limit. Its still a huge hit, but trying the same trick with the GSC as the White Night and I'd be on the ground coughing up a lung. So its a little perspective on the grandiose claims.

I noticed another spot of bubbles. I was giving it another look over after a couple sessions and the buildup was background for a small strip. Though, like the perc, they are truly tiny, tiny bubbles (even smaller actually, I wasn't quite sure what it was, until after thoroughly cleaning and inspecting again and still wasn't sure). I see them in pretty much 95% of the glass I've seen and owned. Its on the underside of the mouthpiece at the joint with the can. As I noted in the original review... the mouthpiece has a big beefy brace on it. Am I concerned about either of these miniscule areas of bubbles. Not in the least bit.

At first, I thought I was being too easy on DR here. I mean, I just shot this dude all this early great praise and I'm now I'm seeing/noticing/obsessing over things. But, then I remembered... I paid $250 for this piece. Its another one of those jewels, that is worth more than the price tag. The function of the pipe isn't affected in any way, nor is the durability. They are a non-issue, unless you're really a stickler on that. But then, you wouldn't be buying $250 glass. Its a lot of money to myself and most other people. But, that really is the upper half, of the lower-priced HQ glass pricing. Its like buying a Toyota Avalon and expecting a Lexus LS.

Finally, I just couldn't believe it could hit smoother than the Lev Lattice. So I tried a side-by-side and it became very apparent, very fast. The DR, is the Lev... w/o the chug. Which is saying a lot... because the FC Bubbler, doesn't have a lot of chug. The DR, just doesn't have ANY.

I added up the perc holes and by my count, there's 72 little pin holes in that sucker. With the wide downstem, its smooth as silk.

Interesting observation. The downstem I ordered from Mike, for the GBD bubbler, sits right down into the top of the Apocoline. Quiets it down a bunch. I haven't really played with it, to see how much difference it makes in functionality... but I like the way it works now. No rush there.

So, my initial excitement, enthusiasm and opinion remain basically unchanged. This was an excellent purchase. For those worried about the logo... you should be able to remove it rather easily. Personally, I like it. I think once people start discovering this perc, the price is either going up, or these are going to be real hard to come by. From what I can find out about the guy, it appears he used to be ALT's in-house blower. They don't hire chumps. Now he's branched off on his own. If you're on the fence. Do it. If you're in the market, think about it. That double he has, for $350 is real sweet... and there's at least 1 left of the bubblers. If you want one, grab it. I'm putting this up on Youtube and Twitter.

I'll rep the glass... damn straight I will!

Dirty Rico (DR) Apocoline Perc Bubbler - $250

P.S. Cleaned everything up, now just have to set-up for the video. Coming soon!

EDIT: First Video (blow it up full-screen HD)

But wait... there's more!

Fishy, fishy, fishy... where ever did fishy go
(off-camera) Its in the elephant's nose!

Oops... wrong line. Yeah, there's two more videos floating around out there, here... someplace.

Looks pretty milky in your vid!! Nice pick up BDV, and nice thread startup for Dirty Rico Glass

Fun with Bubbles!

...I'm now seriously considering the double Apocoline perk I see on Alt. I took a good look at the DR line at a few LHS's today and I like the style a lot.

Oh yeah... I will own that double eventually.

I'm blown away by this piece, especially with the HI. I've had to drop my voltages down, at least 0.3 and still going, trying not to just lay waste to turbo tubes. I'm running at a voltage now, that barely used to turn my herb a very light roast. Now running at a lower voltage, I'm getting a dark brown coffee roast, in half the hits.

Just absolutely insane air flow.

P.S. Check out his wild spread inverted tree. I was reading reviews on it and while it looks, truly off-the-wall and incompetent, reports are that the thing fires beautifully and the slits in the tree, actually work.

Nice bub BDV! Love the way she stacks those tiny bubbles. DR is definitely quality glass, I like my stemless circ even though she barely gets any action now.

Thanks for the heads up, I'll have to do some more research now.

damn BDV, that video really shows off how well you can control the perc of that piece

Just ordered the double Apocoline last night on ALT and found this interview today. After hearing your review and seeing the way the single percs, I literally can not wait until my brown box shows up on my porch. Thank you for this great review, really covered all the bases. Any apprehension I was feeling after I clicked buy is gone now.

Got the double Apocoline in over the weekend. Pics, vids, and a review to come; but in my opinion it is the best tube i could have gotten for the money by a long shot.

Awesome, can't wait to see it! After I got my single, I regretted not spending the extra for the double. However, the more I use it, the more I realize it fits perfect in with my existing glass. Its a good medium, between my larger bubblers and the tiny ones. So, the smaller Apocoline, its a better fit for me. Though, if I were doing it again, having used one prior... I would have got that double, just for that perc.

Don't rush on my account, but hurry up!