Caligula's Aeon Glass Matrix Bubbler Review Extravaganza! [slow internet connections need not apply]

[Caligula]

Note to mods: I really couldn't pick which thread to put this in since it applies to so many (Nano, various bubbler/glass threads, Aeon Glass thread, etc...). Hence why I created a thread myself to avoid x-posting. If this is an issue, please move to where ever you see fit.

So I finally got my unlabeled Jahnpixel/redglassgallery (Aeon Glass) 65mm "matrix tire" bubbler in the mail!

http://www.ioffer.com/i/hd-65mm-matrix-tire-perc-water-pipe-bubbler-18-8-dewar-559936518

Was super stoked to have finally gotten this thing since the holidays really held things up... however the fact that I got the bubbler for $175 got me through those hard times. Sadly, my 18mm GonGs didn't make it so a trip to my local LHD was needed to pick up a ground glass 18 to 14mm reducer. Anyway, I promised a few members that I would write up a review once I got the piece... and here we are! In any case, I am a glass "noob", and am simply trying to give my unbiased opinion based on first impressions and a day's worth of use.

Now, the first thing I noticed as I took the piece out of the box was a black speck inside the matrix "tire". I could see it through the bubble wrap. At first, I thought it was something stuck inside the bubbler. Upon further inspection, though, I found that it was stuck inside the glass.

Now I have no idea how big of a problem this is, other than being a slight blemish... and I am not claiming it's anything more than that. I'm assuming its part of how the glass was made, something got stuck in there while it was being blown or whatever. Not a huge deal IMO, since I wasn't buying a "show piece"... but I would like input as to WTF this is? My guess is carbon or something.

Anyway, aside from that there are various scratches in the glass and what not. Again, not a big deal but if you are looking for a flawless piece look elsewhere. Here are some untouched photos I took of parts I felt had minor visual flaws (again nothing I'm griping about personally).

Those lines are on the inside wall and came off with iso. I'm more showing you the weld.

Still a pretty piece!

Oh, and how about some slo-mo action replay! Be sure to adjust the resolution!

And least but not least the money shot. Relax and enjoy:

I will let the more experienced among you draw further conclusions there, but it seems not everything on the perc was firing? Granted I've yet to play with water levels, etc...

Now for my opinion on the whole thing. I like it! The mouth piece feels really good, its at the perfect height for me along with the perfect bend in the neck. Ergonomically its a win for me! Its also easy to clear and while, yes I see what they mean by having some chug to it, the clear is very smooth. Hits are also still very flavorful, and thats exactly what I wanted. Basically, so far I am happy with my purchase.

@mvapes @BLAZING OG @ataxian <--- lol b/c bandwidth on his island @skipbifferty @Tweak @canj00digit? @redglassgallery @SD_haze @GSH @everyoneelseimissed

 

[BLAZING OG]

Note to mods: I really couldn't pick which thread to put this in since it applies to so many (Nano, various bubbler/glass threads, Aeon Glass thread, etc...). Hence why I created a thread myself to avoid x-posting. If this is an issue, please move to where ever you see fit.

So I finally got my unlabeled Jahnpixel/redglassgallery (Aeon Glass) 65mm "matrix tire" bubbler in the mail!

http://www.ioffer.com/i/hd-65mm-matrix-tire-perc-water-pipe-bubbler-18-8-dewar-559936518

Was super stoked to have finally gotten this thing since the holidays really held things up... however the fact that I got the bubbler for $175 got me through those hard times. Sadly, my 18mm GonGs didn't make it so a trip to my local LHD was needed to pick up a ground glass 18 to 14mm reducer. Anyway, I promised a few members that I would write up a review once I got the piece... and here we are! In any case, I am a glass "noob", and am simply trying to give my unbiased opinion based on first impressions and a day's worth of use.

Now, the first thing I noticed as I took the piece out of the box was a black speck inside the matrix "tire". I could see it through the bubble wrap. At first, I thought it was something stuck inside the bubbler. Upon further inspection, though, I found that it was stuck inside the glass.

Now I have no idea how big of a problem this is other than being a slight blemish. I'm assuming its part of how the glass was made, something got stuck in there while it was being blown or whatever. Not a huge deal IMO, since I wasn't buying a "show piece"... but I would like input as to WTF this is? My guess is carbon or something.

Anyway, aside from that there are various scratches in the glass and what not. Again, not a big deal but if you are looking for a flawless piece look elsewhere. Here are some untouched photos I took of parts I felt had minor visual flaws (again nothing I'm griping about personally).

Those lines are on the inside wall and came off with iso. I'm more showing you the weld.

Still a pretty piece!

Oh, and how about some slo-mo action replay! Be sure to adjust the resolution. Sadly my camera cant film above 480p when using this feature... but I feel it gets across nicely still.

And least but not least the money shot. Relax and enjoy:

I will let the more experienced among you draw further conclusions there, but it seems not everything on the perc was firing? Granted I've yet to play with water levels, etc...

Now for my opinion on the whole thing. I like it! The mouth piece feels really good, its at the perfect height for me along with the perfect bend in the neck. Ergonomically its a win for me! Its also easy to clear and while, yes I see what they mean by having some chug to it, the clear is very smooth. Hits are also still very flavorful, and thats exactly what I wanted. Basically, so far I am happy with my purchase.

@mvapes @BLAZING OG @ataxian @skipbifferty @Tweak @canj00digit? @redglassgallery @SD_haze @GSH @everyoneelseimissed

Awesome piece and the diffusion looks killer.
I dont see the black speck your talking about but JhanP has stated that they do all the cutting/grinding in-house by hand and at times there's white in the glass or maybe in your case particles from the grinder or whatever the tool they use to hand cut the percs. This of course might not be aesthetically pleasing but should not compromise the integrity of the piece. I like it a lot. Nice vids by the way. The scratches Iam not sure about but it could be from the tool they use to hold or grab the hot glass.
The nano looks great with the matrix, and that perc looks beautiful.

Also, I could see this in both threads jhan & EV nano thread since its pertaining to both.

 

[Caligula]

@BLAZING OG

Click on the picture to enlarge it if needed. Full resolution version is the second picture from the top in my OP. You can actually clearly see it in the first 3 pictures, as well as the vids (once you know where to look).

Hell, I look at it like Cindy Crawford's mole. Still hot. (How old am I?)

 

[BLAZING OG]

@BLAZING OG

Click on the picture to enlarge it if needed. Full resolution version is the second picture from the top in my OP. You can actually clearly see it in the first 3 pictures, as well as the vids (once you know where to look).

Hell, I look at it like Cindy Crawford's mole. Still hot. (How old am I?)

I can clearly see it now, wow!!!
She's got a beauty mark, that alone should increase its value, are you saying your calling your new piece cindy?

DId you contact Jhan just to make sure its all good?
looks harmless, looks incased in the glass?
But I could see that bothering some or even my self.

In this pic above it looks like some kinda of oil stained the glass, in the first pics that you posted the first one with no flash ,it looks like a clump of something ?

 

[Caligula]

Its for sure inside the glass. Haven't contacted JP yet either. Maybe hell swing by the thread later on? Im not too worried though. Trying the Solo out ATM....

 

[BLAZING OG]

Its for sure inside the glass. Haven't contacted JP yet either. Maybe hell swing by the thread later on? Im not too worried though. Trying the Solo out ATM....

I wouldn't worry either, looks solid as heck!!!!
Jhan is the man and always answers with the upmost truth and honesty, he might chime in later!!!

 

[GSH]

Thanks for the review @Caligula, really nice videos too. It looks like a really comfortable piece to use, shame about the blemishes, looks like carbon dust to me? But as long as it functions then all good I suppose

As for all the perc not firing, I was led to believe the harder you pull the more of the perc fires? Maybe not though

Should have mine within a week or two. Can't wait!

 

[Tweak]

Ergonomically its a win for me! Its also easy to clear and while, yes I see what they mean by having some chug to it, the clear is very smooth. Hits are also still very flavorful, and thats exactly what I wanted. Basically, so far I am happy with my purchase.

Looks like a quality piece, . Would like if there was a lil less of the perc there, so it would take less water and have an easier pull.

Ergonomics and flavor are the most important things I look for in a water pipe. If I'm uncomfortable hitting a piece, it doesn't matter how nice it is.

That perc sure looks sexy though, . Hope he designs some more pieces using it.

 

[alltoreup]

Nice slow mo vids! Really shows the perc. It's basically a straight downstem bubbling then going throwing the barrel with the slits. I wonder if more would fire if you just barely cover the downstem? Nice piece btw! Is the bottom of the barrel/tire/matrix sealed? It looks like it but just wanted to be sure.

 

[Caligula]

Nice slow mo vids! Really shows the perc. It's basically a straight downstem bubbling then going throwing the barrel with the slits. I wonder if more would fire if you just barely cover the downstem? Nice piece btw! Is the bottom of the barrel/tire/matrix sealed? It looks like it but just wanted to be sure.

It is. Its also welded to the bottom of the can for structural purposes id imagine. Ill try to get shots of it later.

 

[Caligula]

In this pic above it looks like some kinda of oil stained the glass, in the first pics that you posted the first one with no flash ,it looks like a clump of something ?

its for sure a clump of something inside the glass itself. As I said it looks like carbon dust but a large clump of it? Almost like something was frozen mid explosion, heh.

It actually looks really cool close up. Sort of like the glass art you see in marbles on heady pieces. Ill try to get a macro shot tomorrow.

 

[BLAZING OG]

its for sure a clump of something inside the glass itself. As I said it looks like carbon dust but a large clump of it? Almost like something was frozen mid explosion, heh.

It actually looks really cool close up. Sort of like the glass art you see in marbles on heady pieces. Ill try to get a macro shot tomorrow.

That does sound kinda cool, like a little opal chip with out all the colors lol lol
Well, I like your cindy crawford

 

[Caligula]

@alltoreup Its for sure sealed at the bottom of the perc!

@BLAZING OG here are some better shots of Cindy's beauty mark. I need to get a real camera to really get any closer. Fixed focus sux.

 

[BLAZING OG]

@alltoreup Its for sure sealed at the bottom of the perc!

@BLAZING OG here are some better shots of Cindy's beauty mark. I need to get a real camera to really get any closer. Fixed focus sux.

Oh yeah, there she is.
I hope you dont mind me saying cindy's sexy.lol
Must of been from the wet saw or grinder when cutting.
I just realized some people but an 14mm downstem in there to change up the diffusion, some one i think just mentioned that recently.
Looks good , but you can also try the macro mode in your camera or in the note 3?

 

[AdventurousMoustache]

I purchased the UFO showerhead sidecar from Jhan and mine had some decent flaws with it too, still functional but it certainly is no Mobius