If you want thicker vapor just bump up the temp or slow your draw a little.
Unless your getting results you don't want (herb browning too quickly, taste degrading too quickly etc), there's nothing wrong with bumping up the temp incrementally.
Temp can vary from unit to unit based upon
-heating element placement (shorter/pushed in = cooler)
-inlet hole size (larger = cooler)
-inlet hole location (not sure exactly how it affects temps, but affects how air flows around the heater, so would affect temps somewhat)
-temp knob location (my unit turns on at about 7, so my 12 is relative from there.)
I have heater covers with such variance that one requires me to turn my lsv up to max, and the other only requires me to turn it up to 12.
Now, a few other points:
Do I find using water makes me higher?
No.
I find it makes my session more comfortable, I enjoy using water tools, and therefore, for me, they're better.
Ime, the same amount of bud will generally get you to the same level of highness, regardless of vape or vapor path used. (Assuming we're talking about quality vapes here, crap vapes can def get you less higher from the same bud)
Reclaim builds up in water tools, so technically there absolutely has to be slightly less effects, but for me, the difference is entirely unnoticeable, and I can reclaim the buildup anyways
What temp?
I use approx 12 ish, but as I said above, different heater covers will affect what temp you need, along with strain, draw speed etc.
just keep playing with your temps till you find what you like, don't be afraid to bump it up
How long does the high last?
However long it lasts...
Super subjective and will vary based on many things.
Proper technique:
Bud in wpa,
Attach lsv
Inhale.
You don't need to swirl the lsv too much.
Hell, you don't really need to swirl it at all if you don't want, I found less swirling concentrates the heat a bit more and can lead to thicker vapor, at the price of a less evenly roasted load.
Burnt smell:
If some crumbs of bud fall through the heater cover screen they'll burn up on the heater.
That may have been the source of the smell.
Dirtiness:
Yep, that's generally called reclaim.
It's essentially just recondensed thc, way better than the tar and crap that you would get from smoking.
But yes, vapor will still dirty up glassware, just much slower than smoking, and it's full of actives
How many hits per pack:
Impossible to tell, varies based on load size, temp, hit size, quality of bud etc.
I can nurse a load for 10-15 hits, my friend will put back the same load in2...
, works much better with my SSV GonG, 
