Cheap High Quality Bubbler

[Moogly]

..... rockin' the D022 and Lotus this morning.

They're out of stock and i want one so bad

Mod note: post modified to keep it within rules.

 

[oli]

I also noticed a frit piece pop up over the weekend, shipping/total is way too much for me though, and the seller is pretty new. Hopefully this will make its way to other sellers with better shipping prices/reputations etc...

Nice find, shit about the shipping

Just noticed this fun piece

http://www.dhgate.com/store/product/yc-034-glass-water-pipe-glass-smoking-pipe/191526702.html

 

[ataxian]

So, what do you think? Is the diffusion greater on the HC? More taste thru the "ratchet"?

The ratchet (right side) very very nice! Both are cool.
I like them.
I'll use them!

 

[Meghan]

I took my newish D020-D to my friend's house this weekend, as she already has and loves the original D020, and ended up offering to sell it to her after she expressed the desire to get one for herself (with the thought that I could just order another one to replace mine). Now that I'm poised to make a new order, I'm wondering if I should try a different piece instead. I love the D020-D for the bigger can size relative to the original model, so I'd want something similarly sized. For those of you who have tried a few different pieces, am I better off buying a different member of the D020 family? Or would any of you who have tried pieces from both recommend checking out yinmin's store instead this time?

Seriously, too many damn choices!

 

[tuk]

Why choose MG, get both so you're not disappointed ...you can always sell or give as gift.

The D020-D is nice glass for nice price.

 

[oli]

Just came across this and had to share

For those of you guys who are based in Europe and are interested in these two bubblers:

You can have them over angel-angel on DHGate for $25.16 each! free shipping really??? I almost feel American

http://www.dhgate.com/store/product/health-glass-pipes-bong-oil-dome-bubblermini/191410076.html

Never heard of this shop, he obviously does not concentrate on paraphernalia but seems to have great feedback on his shop...

This also is a nice piece for the Buck, not quite like the likes of the (GB-187-1) but a nice compensation pice for 19 Euros

http://www.dhgate.com/store/product/2014-health-glass-water-pipes-pipe-bong-oil/191416024.html

Although I have to say that it is kinda strange that all his prices are the same...

I will make an attempt @ contact and be back when I hear...

 

[SSVUN~YAH]

My 187 came in and it's Saweet!!! Best bang for your buck! @Meghan you should raise your minimum about $14, it's worth it! I was super stoked to find I got a Rasta Roor logo where I was expecting the black, I love it Fobius Rasta Roar!!! Goes perfect with my Marley posters!!! Stay vaked my friends!!!

 

[jambandphan03]

I should have the 187 soon, and if I had not already ordered the D020-D before the 187 showed up in the forum, I would have waited... and just got the 187, assuming its as good as all the others I've seen posted so far. I'm not at all knocking the 20-D, it's a nice bubbler for sure, but I have the feeling the 187 will just perform a bit smoother and has just a bit more size to it. I'll know for sure when it arrives, at this point I am making assumptions based on what I have seen here. I am curious to see how that double perc 186 turns out for people. It looks big compared to the rest.

 

[PhotoRider]

i'm not sure what's the question to answer.

Is it why $$$ pieces - is that the question?

As far as plain function. Heady makes zero difference there. Color and art work does not make it work better. That is not the benefit of a nice heady piece. The benefit is quality of workmanship and the visual effect of the art.

Now function. BHO and herb require difference types of pieces and diffusion. Herb likes more at least for me. The Mobius clear matrix for me is the best functioning piece for flower vaping. Pure scientific also. The cheap knockoff's from Blackleaf or an ioffer supplier probably is 80%+ as good, at least the ones I have.

For oil less diffusion and more cooling. recyclers are that choice. However there are many choices of styles for that.

I collect functional and non functional glass. Why, because I like the art and the function is just a bonus. My choice. Everyone has what they like to do. I find it interesting how much people value money. Try smoking it some time or use it for food or shelter. Doesn't work so well does it. The value of money is pure faith. So people who trade money for something that is beautiful and function are idiots (I'm avoiding the terms I read here). Maybe. Or perhaps people who value money over everything else are the ones making poor choices. unknown, time will tell.

I make a lot. I have plenty to live off of. So I use surplus money to collect art. Heady pieces are art in my mind. Sure functionality may be no better, but if the artist spent hours of their time to create something from their soul why isn't that worth something?

That said, the functionality of say my MS fab egg. Blind fold me, hand me 5 pieces which i only draw from and don't handle, i will pick the MS everytime.

A Honda and a Lexus both get you from point a to b and in reasonable manners/closeness. Same issue here.

No one's opinion is fact here. Its an opinion and we must respect other's opinions even if we disagree with it. The world is grey and thank god for that. Otherwise it would be boring...

 

[mvapes]

Yeah I have to agree with PR here. I'd hardly call myself a glass fiend, however I took it as a compliment. Now I don't have near what PR has but I have a small collection of about 15 pieces.

15 pieces that I worked my ass off for! Shit, I'm fucking 40 working full time running a company with Parkinson's Disease. Way I look at it, what else do I have? I don't spend my money anywhere else but on my family so my wife let's me have my fun with a little glass.

Personally I shop for function. Every piece I have offers a unique experience to me regardless of what material I'm using it for. For me I haven't been able to attain that with imports or mass production blowers. The first time I hit a Mobius was the last time I used cheap glass. I also notice a few mentions where people say "I don't need a Mobius (example), I have this imitation" I must ask, have you ever tried the actual piece they copied from?

Just saying, that's exactly how it happened for me.

 

[cybrguy]

Perfectly understandable and well considered positions. Like many of us, I am in a completely different place. I make barely enough money for the life I like to live and if I had to spend $200+ for glass I wouldn't have any. The cost of being medicated as often as I choose to be is a burden, but a manageable one. I could get by on less, but I choose instead to spend less for other things. This part of my life is important enough to me to get some priority. I may not have the best TV or the best car or designer clothes, but I have what I need and that makes me happy. I LIKE nice glass, but perfect or name brand are not my priorities and these Chinese pieces are are just what the doctor ordered, for me. I am very pleased I found this place and the expertize here (in all of FC) to help me make these decisions

If I HAD a lot of money I'm sure I would do MANY things differently. I'm quite certain artful glass for the sake of the art would be one of those things. With the amount of money I DO have I think I am doing a reasonable job of getting what I want without making myself crazy OR leaving myself short anywhere important. We all must set our own priorities...

 

[Tweak]

I love the D020-D for the bigger can size relative to the original model, so I'd want something similarly sized. For those of you who have tried a few different pieces, am I better off buying a different member of the D020 family? Or would any of you who have tried pieces from both recommend checking out yinmin's store instead this time?

IMO, the D020-D is the perfect size for holding bubbler in hand. I think it is the perfect size for vaping.

If you vape from a table/desk, the GB-187 would give you more room for vapor, but that extra room takes lung power to fill and empty. It might just be too big.

 

[flotntoke]

IMO, the D020-D is the perfect size for holding bubbler in hand. I think it is the perfect size for vaping.

If you vape from a table/desk, the GB-187 would give you more room for vapor, but that extra room takes lung power to fill and empty. It might just be too big.

Honestly haven't tried the D020-D or the GB-187, but am really liking the D020-W. Still think I prefer the jhanpixel UFO sidecar ($150 now I think) for its increased volume and heavier glass, but the D020-W is a nice little piece. One of best parts about both IMO, is the sidecar. That probably depends on what vapes you're using, but I really like the fact that the nano sits off to the side while on top of the can not in front of your nose. Those of you who remember Steve Martin's "The Jerk" (where people go cross-eyed from the innovative glasses frames he's made millions from) may get my point a little better. Just not a big fan of having something 3" in front of my nose if it can be avoided. Of course, if you go with a stemless your vape will sit lower and probably further from your face.

But, I also think a centered Dewar joint is preferable to a stemless for vaping unless using tubing. More open space around the joint (so any vape should fit easily), less initial drag, easier to draw slow and steady, and doesn't create back pressure when you stop drawing. Do love my monstrous Leviathan FC lattice, but if you're not careful the back pressure of water settling will blow the material right out of the GonG. This is the worst offender I own, but have never seen similar with a top mounted Dewar.

Not taking anything away from what's already been suggested. Looks like many nice pieces that I wish I had the extra disposable income and space for! But other than cleaning issues, love the little D020-W.

 

[mvapes]

Perfectly understandable and well considered positions. Like many of us, I am in a completely different place. I make barely enough money for the life I like to live and if I had to spend $200+ for glass I wouldn't have any. The cost of being medicated as often as I choose to be is a burden, but a manageable one. I could get by on less, but I choose instead to spend less for other things. This part of my life is important enough to me to get some priority. I may not have the best TV or the best car or designer clothes, but I have what I need and that makes me happy. I LIKE nice glass, but perfect or name brand are not my priorities and these Chinese pieces are are just what the doctor ordered, for me. I am very pleased I found this place and the expertize here (in all of FC) to help me make these decisions

If I HAD a lot of money I'm sure I would do MANY things differently. I'm quite certain artful glass for the sake of the art would be one of those things. With the amount of money I DO have I think I am doing a reasonable job of getting what I want without making myself crazy OR leaving myself short anywhere important. We all must set our own priorities...

You're exactly right, as long as you understand priorities a little piece here and there won't hurt anyone. All you have to keep in mind is that there is a point where cheap becomes too cheap. The Chinese aren't in it to lose money either, the cheaper the piece the less a chance there's any quality there. I have a buddy who's a blower, quite a popular one too. He will occasionally offer knowledge within his business and he said it's impossible to maintain some level of quality between your work and the glass and still be cheap.

Glass comes in Rods, broken down by color. Clear, depending on it's quality can be anywhere between 15 and 25 bucks a rod while colors like purple rain, slyme, etc, run anywhere between 70 and 100 dollars.

That's before the guy even touches it! Then there's labor plus expenses which if that's not covered he makes 0 profit. I've gotten small pieces from him at cost, for example a slyme recycler (10 mm) - fucking 200+! Granted it was slyme but he charged me nothing but a few bucks above his out of pocket.

Keep that in mind when you look at a piece that looks like a toro for 50 bucks.

 

[FlyingLow]

But do those that have hit a genuine Toro find that the function/experience is comparable to the $50 piece?

 

[walrus]

My 187 came today. I ordered at 11pm on May 12, less than one week to the east coast of the US is pretty spectacularly fast shipping if you ask me. Functions beautifully, I've never owned a Mobius but I have used one on a few occasions and the 187 hits pretty much just as I remember the Mobius hitting. The percs all fire as they should and the bubbles stack to the top of the can effortlessly. No drag to speak of, this sucker is smooth. Can have a tiny amount of resistance to it if you overfill but I got no water whatsoever through the mouthpiece so go ahead and fill it a little high if you like that little bit of chuggieness. It looks great, I can nitpick and say it isn't 100% perfect but what do you expect? The joint weld is the slightest bit sloppy, if you run your finger around the top it's not 100% smooth, just a small ripple on one side. The perc is just barely off center/crooked in the can but you REALLY have to look hard to notice that. Other than those two small issues it is pretty pristine. Thick glass, clean welds at the mouthpiece and base, no scratches, cracks, or bubbles. No label, as requested. The fact that you can get a piece of this quality for $46 shipped halfway around the world still kinda amazes me. Big props to @yingmin5 for the super fast shipping and the high quality piece. This one is certainly a winner, exceeds any expectations I had for it.

 

[mvapes]

But do those that have hit a genuine Toro find that the function/experience is comparable to the $50 piece?

Not many. And I gotta be honest, some aren't being truthful either. A fucking $50 piece of glass rivals a mobius? Not only am I fucking insulted but somebody needs get more acquainted with a good piece of glass. To be candid, I think it's insulting to a lot of members. Hey PR - got a Lexus? Wow, I've been in one at one point or another and IMO my 1983 chevette rides the same.

I find, and this what I have learned - those who knock it probably can't afford it and they're finding justification in their purchase. You know how I know this? Cause I used to do the same bullshit before I hit that very fucking Mobius I spoke of. I, at one time had a bunch of cheap glass - I could not bring myself to take the splurge either. For years I used cheaper stuff and for years I kept breaking it. Not to say I haven't broken a high end piece, I drop shit all the time because I shake. Simple knock overs, some drops even, my pieces usually survive.

So what I'm saying is think before you type. There are people here who aren't kids and we've worked our asses off to afford what we have. Whether were well off or just finding a way to make it work no one has the right to make us feel stupid for our purchases.

Here's another funny one to laugh at...

I loved sitting in first class while getting a free upgrade for my honeymoon but uh, it was pretty much the same thing as coach...

On a prop plane....

 

[DieHard]

I agree with @mvapes just because it looks like a möbius doesn't mean is is as good as one. I remember back in the '90's there were these "Ferrari"s around that were a kit for a Pontiac Firebird. Was it as good, hell no! That said, I cannot justify spending a large amount of money on glass, right now, for me. When my situation changes the sky can be the limit. I'm with @PhotoRider I appreciate the art aspect as well. I just can't afford it. For now I am exited to receive my Nöbius 186. Any day now.

 

[Tweak]

Not many. And I gotta be honest, some aren't being truthful either. A fucking $50 piece of glass rivals a mobius? Not only am I fucking insulted but somebody needs get more acquainted with a good piece of glass. To be candid, I think it's insulting to a lot of members. Hey PR - got a Lexus? Wow, I've been in one at one point or another and IMO my 1983 chevette rides the same.

That analogy is no where close. All percs do is make bubbles, pretty simple. It isn't rocket surgery, . Reminds me of the hammerforum.com parody.

These "cheap" Chinese glass are completely different from what is on the market even 6 months ago.

I haven't touched my Mobius Matrix in weeks. Having too much fun with these $30 piece that I could care less if I broke.

I don't know why it is insulting to say that a $50 piece hits the same as a $350 piece. There is plenty of evidence in this thread from plenty of respected FC users that have owned high end glass that can attest the how well these pieces perform. They may not be the prettiest, but for 1/10th the price they perform just as good.

Have you tried one?

What is insulting is coming to a sub $100 bubbler thread and telling everyone that we need to get more acquainted with good glass, .

 

[MuushuPork]

I dont think anyone makes the statement that cheap glass functions the same to insult buyers. I think it's more about wanting something they cant afford, but also not wanting something that has a name-brand huge mark-up. I bought $600 heady pieces when I was a teenager and had throw away money but these days I cant imagine spending that much for many reasons. Either way I think that everyone has a point. Love you.

 

[Moogly]

That analogy is no where close. All percs do is make bubbles, pretty simple. It isn't rocket surgery, ..

glassblower here. you aren't paying for the perc, or the functionality of a piece. yes, a well made chinese matrix perc is going to hit the same as a mobius matrix perc, but that's not what you're paying for. you're paying for the 100% guaruntee of 100% perfection and expert craftsmanship of the glass. they are all handmade, but you pay $400 a piece because the artists they employ are so skilled that they can churn out cans and tubes with the exact same dimensions every time, just like a machine had made it. the blowers are skilled enough to ensure and paid enough to care that all the glass remains an even thickness across the entire piece, increasing durability and aesthetics by quite a bit. you are paying to ensure there is not a single hairine crack, not a single bubble, not a single dust particle in the glass. you are paying for all clean welds that are 100% exact in their placement and not off by even 1 or 2 degrees in angle. you are paying for a perfect base that is the exact thickness all the way around and is flat on both sides - not a little bit uneven or flat/bumpy in certain areas of the base. a perfect circle. you are paying for the peace of mind of knowing that the artists used a **CORRECT AND EFFECTIVE** kiln annealing process, and that it is 100% perfect 100% of the time. if you're not into that stuff, you don't have to buy it, but lots of people are. its art, and just like in art, a little scribble tag on the subway may say the same name but it doesn't catch your attention quite like a giant wildstyle graffiti piece on a billboard, even though they're both the same thing essentially. i love budget pieces and a majority of my collection is brandless glass, but you really can't compare the two and say they're the same. they're not.

 

[Errl]

I used to work at a high end smokeshop where we had plenty of Toros, Sheldon Blacks and the like. I just sold off my Sheldon Black 5 arm beaker to buy one of these cheap china pieces and couldn't be happier.

If you're looking for a cosmetically perfect piece, China glass won't cut it. There are small defects that you generally don't see on higher end glass. Bubbles, imperfect welds, things like that. But as far as functionality goes, these pieces definitely rival the higher end glass I've personally handled.

Are you looking to be the big baller on the block and rock a brand name bong or are you looking to smoke some weed? I personally couldn't care less about a brand name or having a cosmetically perfect piece. Some people do. To each their own.

 

[Stu]

I haven't used my ion since my 187 arrived. I don't know how they did it, but I have to admit that the $46 GB-187 is just as enjoyable to use as my Mobius. @mvapes, I see where you're coming from and I probably would've agreed with you a year ago. I had yet to buy any cheap glass from this thread until last month when I saw the 187 and thought it was too good to be true. I kinda hoped deep down that it really sucked and I could show everyone that all this cheap glass sucks. But I can't find a fault with it yet. The perc could break tomorrow, and I'll be the first one to show everyone that it did....

I'm still a big proponent of local glass and I will continue to support the artists around here. Having said that, it's nice to know that there is a budget option for those who can't afford big bucks for a quality piece. I guess the thread title says it all.

I remember seeing a youtube vid of Luke Wilson saying that he thought there was nothing wrong with cheap china glass as an option for some. I agree with him.

 

[DieHard]

glassblower here. you aren't paying for the perc, or the functionality of a piece. yes, a well made chinese matrix perc is going to hit the same as a mobius matrix perc, but that's not what you're paying for. you're paying for the 100% guaruntee of 100% perfection and expert craftsmanship of the glass. they are all handmade, but you pay $400 a piece because the artists they employ are so skilled that they can churn out cans and tubes with the exact same dimensions every time, just like a machine had made it. the blowers are skilled enough to ensure and paid enough to care that all the glass remains an even thickness across the entire piece, increasing durability and aesthetics by quite a bit. you are paying to ensure there is not a single hairine crack, not a single bubble, not a single dust particle in the glass. you are paying for all clean welds that are 100% exact in their placement and not off by even 1 or 2 degrees in angle. you are paying for a perfect base that is the exact thickness all the way around and is flat on both sides - not a little bit uneven or flat/bumpy in certain areas of the base. a perfect circle. you are paying for the peace of mind of knowing that the artists used a **CORRECT AND EFFECTIVE** kiln annealing process, and that it is 100% perfect 100% of the time. if you're not into that stuff, you don't have to buy it, but lots of people are. its art, and just like in art, a little scribble tag on the subway may say the same name but it doesn't catch your attention quite like a giant wildstyle graffiti piece on a billboard, even though they're both the same thing essentially. i love budget pieces and a majority of my collection is brandless glass, but you really can't compare the two and say they're the same. they're not.

Read @GSH and others' situation from 4/20 sales from ALT. A batch of wonky Möbius pieces were unloaded overseas by ALT. At least 6 pages of möbius thread devoted to this mess. Nobody's perfect. All of the cheap knock offs just make the real innovators keep innovating.
http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/mobius-glass.5091/page-85#post-579690

 

[Moogly]

DieHard, with all due respect that's a pretty weak straw man argument. a few bad shipments are one thing, china glass is another story. the consistency with mobius and other high end glass is much much much much much much higher than with DHgate products - and i say this even though im about to buy a DHgate piece from this thread. to compare a mobius and a china piece and say the china piece has no differences at all is really offensive to the artist that put thousands of hours of working into making that mobius so perfect and uniform that you didn't even notice it had some special stuff going on.