I posted this to reddit but figured I'd share here as well:
I had a chance to see the Hydravong over the weekend at the FAM show in Madison, and I was really, really pleasantly surprised to see there's far more to it than look.
First, it seats into glass joints better than most previous vong models. I haven't had any issues with the previous iterations, but it is nice to see just how well the new shape seats.
The real magic, IMO, is in the new pattern. The piece rolls effortlessly between your finger tips, and is hands down the easiest to to manage rolling back and forth consistently during heating. It also feels really, really great in the hand - honestly shockingly so. The team really knocked it out of the park there.
Finally, the way the airport is set and inlaid on the Hydravong is also much, much easier to feather due to just how easy it is to slightly roll off your finger and back - again, all part of the new pattern.
Beyond that, I have to say thank you to the entire team that was at the FAM show and gave my father and I a really generous amount of their time. He really had a great time, and it was a thrill for me to get to bring him to his first trade show and get him more acquainted with the industry.
You guys were beyond kind and generous and I can not thank you enough. So, so proud that this team is from my home
OH - and also, there are 100% at least two other very, very cool developments coming from the crew this year. I am not comfortable saying what those are just yet as I believe it's still unannounced, but I was very happy to see them.