Not exactly cheap but not expensive bubblers

[JDR]

Due to the loss of my most recent rig in a tipover kind of crash, I am in need of a bubbler. I've been reading the "cheap and not that far from $100" thread and have gleaned much, including the fact that there is a sale over at that aqua place. I'd like to spend enough to get something 11/12inches, with 5mm glass, a very solid base, nice perc, and a simple design with space for items like my Solo or an ash-catcher. Perhaps something squat with an angled mouthpiece (I have a Toro in mind as an example).

So, my question is... for someone who has these kinds of requirements and expects to spend $150-$400, how can you pick among the dizzying array of options? I've gone through the diffuser/perc definitions and discussions and have some to the conclusion that I would, of course, want something "smooth" that didn't "chug" and that stacked up bubbles nicely. On Aqua, in that price range, there are the Toros, the Leisures, and what is it...ZOB? I saw somebody mention the Bent Glass bubblers and I was looking at the C6:

http://www.nnsoutpost.com/bent-glass-helix-c6.html

Or the glassblowers direct FC bubbler.

I guess all folks can give is their experience. But since this site is primarily about vaping and only in relation about glass, I'm not surprised there isn't an exhaustive going over of all bubblers. But I wish there were more testimonials about what folks think of these mid range bubbler brands and models.

JDR

 

[OhTheAgony]

lol @ thread tittle.

I think I'm gonna start one next called 'the extremely overpriced yet low quality bubblers'

I kid of course, but it shouldn't get much crazier then this tbh/imo/whatever.

I'd just go with what looks good to you, feels good in terms of size and ergonomics, meets your other demands and fits your budget. Don't over-think it to much bro

 

[Frederick McGuire]

Up to $400 is a pretty nice budget.

You could get a möbius matrix or reti bubbler (the matrix bubbler is pretty much my favourite piece of glass I've owned yet).

If you like tree percs, you could get a Luke Wilson 15 arm bubbler (I'm not the biggest fan of tree percs, but Luke does nice ones).

If you're a BM member, you could get an EFS gridded stemline or donut tube with a bent neck (which I find to have pretty similar ergonomics to my bubs).

I've seen some nice looking 2012BC removable neck gridded showerhead bubs recently too.

There are heaps of options in that price range, i would think pretty much any high-quality single-chamber non-worked bubbler should fall into it.

With that wide of a net, it gets you to the "personal preference" zone.
I liked the look of trees when I first got into glass, owned a few, and concluded that I prefer a showerhead/circ perc instead.
Others prefer the tree
A lot of peeps love sovereignty, I felt a little underwhelmed (can I say I was just "whelmed"?) by mine when I owned one.

 

[MrNorml]

http://aqualabtechnologies.com/scie...o-frothilator-with-black-base-mouthpiece.html is one I like the look of a lot. To be honest, I'd start looking here for bubblers made for the FC community because the price is right and they are made for vaporizers and we should support those who are doing right by us. I don't like trees because they 'hang free' so are more prone IMO to breaking off.
There are sooo many nice glass pieces out there. I have a couple cheapies that work OK, 2 'good' pieces that I love and cherish, and a Roor-style bong but I don't like bongs. I'm a bubbler sort of guy. Not in college in the 70s anymore... I had so many bongs, bubblers, pipes back then. Wish I hadn't (apparently) thrown them all away over time. Arizona State in '72 was pretty cost-friendly to me...

 

[JDR]

lol @ thread tittle.

I think I'm gonna start one next called 'the extremely overpriced yet low quality bubblers'

I kid of course, but it shouldn't get much crazier then this tbh/imo/whatever.

I'd just go with what looks good to you, feels good in terms of size and ergonomics, meets your other demands and fits your budget. Don't over-think it to much bro

Hey, isn't it kind of a requirement around here to be a bit of an overthinker? The BDSM folk make a little nooky into a marathon. We make a big hairy engineering project out of getting high. Pick your pleasure/poison, I guess.

Anyhow, I was all ready to buy a pretty vanilla mobius matrix at aqualab for $319 when I noticed that every mobius pipe is sold out. That frothilator one is also sold out. Leisure is available as are others. But, I then was going to go with another on my shortlist, the C6 Helix from Bent Glass:

http://www.nnsoutpost.com/bent-glass-helix-c6.html

I've never even seen it pull. But their stuff looks great. It fits my specs and it's $200. So, I go on the site and order..address..payment..blahblah..then what? only paypal payment? ok, I guess.. I go into my paypal account and I've got like half the needed amount. Paypal will let me transfer more in which would take 3-5 days or I can go to Walgreen's and buy some douchebag card with paypal credit/dollar/token/unit/whatevers.

To Walgreens...l8r..

JDR

 

[OhTheAgony]

Haha, I guess I can't argue with that reasoning, touché

There is someone here who has the Bent version of the Ion Matrix bubbler (the one you posted seems to be their version of the Ion Reti), but I just can't find the thread, sorry. I like the looks of their stuff as well as their prices though.

 

[placetime]

Hey, isn't it kind of a requirement around here to be a bit of an overthinker? The BDSM folk make a little nooky into a marathon. We make a big hairy engineering project out of getting high.

 

[JDR]

So, I went ahead and ordered a C6 Helix 2nd day air. Apparently, I'm living wild on the bleeding edge, as I have seen no reviews anywhere for this particular piece, though his little brother C6-B50 has some youtube vids.

http://www.nnsoutpost.com/bent-glass-helix-c6.html

JDR

 

[JDR]

So, the Bent Glass C6 is not meant to be mine. I received a notice from nnsoutpost.com that they are out and that more wouldn't be forthcoming for months.

I'm back to my open to suggestions stage. If anybody has any experiences with $200-300 bubblers that go unnoticed by others, do tell. Thanks muhc. I'll be prowling around aqualabs and also be considering the FC bubblers.

JDR

 

[chimpybits]

Smoketower claims to have in stock the "compact" version of the Bent Glass Helix Perc if that is of interest JDR. I just came across this and it looks to be just what I've been looking for.

 

[NewVape]

To be honest, I'd start looking here for bubblers made for the FC community because the price is right and they are made for vaporizers and we should support those who are doing right by us.

I can tell you that you will not go wrong with SSFG or Leviathan. Both tried and tested here on FC. As far as what to pick? I agree with what's been said, personal preference. It took me a couple of different bubblers to find the kind I like.

 

[JDR]

Leviathon ordered. He said it would be here in 2-3 weeks. <sigh> Being from the US and thus needing instant gratification at all times, this is going to hurt me very deeply. I'll have to be careful and make sure that the wait doesn't turn into a learning experience and cause me to grow as a person.

JDR

 

[Lou]

Leviathon ordered. He said it would be here in 2-3 weeks. <sigh> Being from the US and thus needing instant gratification at all times, this is going to hurt me very deeply. I'll have to be careful and make sure that the wait doesn't turn into a learning experience and cause me to grow as a person.

JDR

which one did you go with, showerhead or honeycomb lattice? I have the lattice and can attest to the quality (as many others here). I was looking for a bubbler in your price range around your price range for a while 100-300, and arrived at many of the options limited. Looked at the l. wilson 15 arm, leviathan bubblers, mobius, mgw, etc etc. Couldn't find a better price/quality ratio than the leviathan.

 

[JDR]

which one did you go with, showerhead or honeycomb lattice? I have the lattice and can attest to the quality (as many others here). I was looking for a bubbler in your price range around your price range for a while 100-300, and arrived at many of the options limited. Looked at the l. wilson 15 arm, leviathan bubblers, mobius, mgw, etc etc. Couldn't find a better price/quality ratio than the leviathan.

It sounds like you and I went through a very similar process, considering some of the same items. It seems the Leviathan has a variety of elements going for it (honeycomb, bargain price, specialty design for FC by a small glass designer among others). Spec-wise, it was exactly what I was looking for, height and design wise. To me, it looked like anything better on aqua, even with 15% off, would cost $100 more. Besides, this clearly is a unique design that many seem to love, has it's appeal. I saw somebody made a video of the Leviathon with a Solo attached. I was sold.

JDR

 

[BigDaddyVapor]

If you're looking at the Leviathan/M&M Tech, you should check out their lattice tubes, also. I know you said bubblers. But they're worth a look-see. SSFG again... good option. Apix has nice stuff. I was just checking out ioffer and found these...

http://www.ioffer.com/i/efs-stemless-mini-dbl-12-dbl-gridded-donut-big-sale-500979094

http://www.ioffer.com/i/efs-glass-dbl-gridded-stemline-14-500949858

 

[fidget]

http://www.grasscity.com/us_en/glas...er-snob-glass-collaboration.html#.UKeE-4e6cw8

Cheap as chips at $149.95 and great quality

 

[Gammy]

http://www.grasscity.com/int_en/smo...-bubblicious-bong-ice-7mm-1.html#.UK_dL4bNx8E

165$ minus 25%

7mm Schott Duran glass

I'm no expert but I'm thinking this is an awesome piece for the price.

 

[BigDaddyVapor]

Watch Linda's reviews of ALL those collab pieces. If I remember correctly, that beaker is huge.

 

[Gammy]

Yeah it is, and she takes a massive hit too!

I almost bought it but I went with the GC/SNOB collab instead

 

[BigDaddyVapor]

Good choice. Its a nice piece of glass. Its is a very good deal for the price. I would have bought it when I got the Saxo, but I didn't have the $$$ at the time. Can't wait to hear what you think!

 

[Gammy]

I'll definitely post a video of me milking this beauty

 

[fidget]

I'll definitely post a video of me milking this beauty

Love mine. Had it about a year and used to use it for dabs as my SSFG travel beaker worked better with my Q.
It's a perfect matchup for the wychwood though so the SSFG is now relegated to dabbing duty and my Q hasn't even been turned on for weeks.

 

[Gammy]

Did it take long to receive yours? I hope Canada customs won't charge me duties... I usually ask sellers to write "gift, value less than 20$" on the sending slip but GC says on their website that they have to write the exact value on the slip because "it's the law". But I've ordered stuff from around the world and I've never heard of such a law.

I'll write them and see if they can accomodate me.

 

[BigDaddyVapor]

GC has hands down, the worst customer service, I've dealt with online. 99% of the time, the don't even understand what your request is. They'll answer something you didn't ask, then close the ticket, as if its resolved.

 

[Frederick McGuire]

Did it take long to receive yours? I hope Canada customs won't charge me duties... I usually ask sellers to write "gift, value less than 20$" on the sending slip but GC says on their website that they have to write the exact value on the slip because "it's the law". But I've ordered stuff from around the world and I've never heard of such a law.

I'll write them and see if they can accomodate me.

I think it's something to do with the declaration they have to sign for intl postage, it wouldn't surprise me if it's technically some kind of mail fraud to lie on customs declarations