Just make friends with your local glass scene, I've been to some partys where the artists' glass present would blow just about anyones mind that its all in one place.
I feel that the pearls create turbulence in the air as it moves through the head. I definitely notice a less pronounced ring in the herb. I use 4 sic pearls with the single hole cap.
Totally agree losing a $40 drop is much better than losing my $400 recycler that I can never truly replace.
Personally I like how the drop collects most of the stubborn gunk and when I go to clean my rigs I can just boil them clean.
Heres a vid of my Vrod on a small 10mm recycler.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByG3_gygBUy/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
I find the restriction is fine as long as you keep your screen nice and clean. Double deckers are nutty through these small rigs.