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Buying a 2nd hookah?


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I bought my first hookah from hookahhub.com not too long ago, but after
learning more I feel I made a mistake in buying the cheapest one I
could find.  I am interested in buying something a little nicer
looking, and hoping to learn something about the differences in smoking
a cheap and a good hookah.  That being said, is a ~$100 price
range reasonable?  If so, please point me in the direction of a
highly recomended hookah, and what to look for when buying "hardware"
(so to speak)
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Sorry for the sh*tty link.  Here ya go:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.com/Stargate-Modern-Hookah-Shisha-MUST-SEE-1000-RETAIL_W0QQitemZ5431015967QQcategoryZ596QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"] [url="http://cgi.ebay.com/Stargate-Modern-Hookah-Shisha-MUST-SEE-1"]http://cgi.ebay.com/Stargate-Modern-Hookah...isha-MUST-SEE-1[/url][/url] 000-RETAIL_W0QQitemZ5431015967QQcategoryZ596QQssPageNameZWDV WQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

What's that "Preview Post" button for again?

Oh, and if you buy the Stargate, make sure it comes from Taqseem. 
Samir posted on the board a day or two ago about some really cheaply
made replicas coming into the market.  If the Stargate you buy
doesn't make you feel like you could kill a dinosaur with it, it is not
one of Samir's.
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I'll play my usual devil self and endorse Syrian models with my beloved auto-seal.
Have a looka back over at Hookah Hub again and check out the Onyx/Esmerelda/Andalucia models..... the stem breaks down so you can leave a section or two out if you want to use its as a smaller hookah...
The hose connections are screw in instead of soldered on.. this allows you to break it down and give it a very thorough cleaning. There is only one area on those hookahs that has any solder. 
The auto seal is versatile and easy to use and clean. The ball can be removed from the valve to to make it into a standard connection.
They are so versatile that if you get one of those... you get basically any hookah you want for any given situation. 
I own the Andalucia model.... and theres no need for me to ever buy another hookah. this one does it all.
Thats my.02
 
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Ioannisds, I was wondering if the South Smoke Aurora for instance came
with a stainless steel bowl or not? I noticed the text above them said
it did, yet inside it said bowl - clay... So, I was curious what was up?

Fire-Soul

(still working on first purchase - Hopeful at the beginning of May)
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[quote name='Fire-Soul']Ioannisds, I was wondering if the South Smoke Aurora for instance came
with a stainless steel bowl or not? I noticed the text above them said
it did, yet inside it said bowl - clay... So, I was curious what was up?

Fire-Soul

(still working on first purchase - Hopeful at the beginning of May)[/quote]

I think you meant Social Smoke.  I do not think it does, although
I am sure you can upgrade... although I would not recommend it.  I
bought my first hookah with a stainless steel bowl, and I don't really
like it too much.  I just doesn't retain heat as nicely/evenly as
the clay and porcelain bowls I have used.  The Aurora does look
sweet with the stainless bowl on it though.  Maybe pay a little
extra and get the stainless steel for display, and use the clay to
smoke.
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[quote name='tjt486']So what are the advantages/differences of a longer vs shorter hookah?[/quote]
Good question, tj. While an exceptionally short hookah (like some of the hand-helds offered as part of a package from companies) produces a harsh, hot, worthless smoke, a shorter machine (18 or 20 inches up to about 22 inches deliver a good smoke. It has been said these don't produce as much smoke, or as smooth as a taller one. This seems to be true with my taqseems syrian job. But it is a whole different thing all together as my main experience is with Egyptian models. They are much smoother than my Syrian hookah.
I have 3 taller Egyptian hookahs (28-30" tall) that I love like children. I once had to buy a "quick-fix hooka" as I needed one for a week and was going to leave it behind in Egypt. It was between 18 and 22 inches. I wasn't expecting too much from it, but I found it to be a real heavyweight smoker! I will try to retreive a picture on the forum of one just like it for you. It produced as much (if not more) smoke as my taller ones, had a wonderful, smooth, flavorful smoke, and was a bit easier to carry, even though it was a solid shaft design as my big ones are.
So, in my opinion, if a shorter shaft hookah has the same size base as the taller ones (Egyptian that is, and is only MY opinion) and is not rediculously short (novelty shop size) it will smoke no worse than any taller one. May be even better too.
MR Bubble
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Hmmmmm.. I went to eBay and had a look at some of Taqseems Stargates to see if it does have some sort of auto-seal... It doesnt look like it.
Hey Ioannisds, does the hose connection unscrew from the stem? IS there an conical depression there if it does?
IF it does.. then theres a way to cook one up at least. If the TPI and diameter is the same as those Syrian auto connections.... then the problem is easily solved. otherwise.... DIY possibilities would lie in your skills and tools available.
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ive heard great things about this stargate hookah. Somebody wrote a
review on it ! where is that thread already.- wait im retarted its
right here
[url="http://www.hookahforum.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1250&"]http://www.hookahforum.com/forum/forum_pos...s.asp?TID=1250&[/url] amp;KW=stargate
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Im about to get my second hookah, and im leaning toward a stargate as well..
They are very stylish! Do you think Taqseem will give me a good deal if i tell him im from the forum?
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[quote name='Lakemonster']Hmmmmm.. I went to eBay and had a look at some
of Taqseems Stargates to see if it does have some sort of auto-seal...
It doesnt look like it.
Hey Ioannisds, does the hose connection unscrew from the stem? IS there an conical depression there if it does?
IF it does.. then theres a way to cook one up at least. If the TPI
and diameter is the same as those Syrian auto connections.... then the
problem is easily solved. otherwise.... DIY possibilities would lie in
your skills and tools available.[/quote]

The single hose that I got has the one-way valve for releasing stale
smoke from the base.  Works the same as the auto-seal systems
do.  I am not sure at all whether or not the two hose deals have
the auto-seal feature.  Lakemonster, I am unable to unscrew the
hose connection from the stem.  Maybe Samir at Taqseem can give us
some more info.  You never know, with enough interest, he might be
able to cook up an auto-seal version just for us .
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[quote name='Yashman19']And whats all this talk about 2hose Stargates? I was unaware that these existed.[/quote]

Always happy to separate a fellow hookah smoker from some money :

[url="http://cgi.ebay.com/2-HOSE-Stargate-Modern-Hookah-Shisha-1000-RETAIL_W0QQitemZ5431016370QQcategoryZ596QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"] [url="http://cgi.ebay.com/2-HOSE-Stargate-Modern-Hookah-Shisha-100"]http://cgi.ebay.com/2-HOSE-Stargate-Modern...okah-Shisha-100[/url][/url] 0-RETAIL_W0QQitemZ5431016370QQcategoryZ596QQssPageNameZWDVWQ QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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[quote name='tjt486']Before I go buying this thing, should I really expect to notice a
difference from what I have now as far as the smoking experience?
Thanks guys.[/quote]

Don't expect a difference like you get with brunettes and redheads
(night and day).  The difference is subtle, but it is there. 
Think more brunette/blonde kinda difference .
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It finally came in the mail today.  You guys arent kidding about
how solid this thing is.  It is a huge difference from my old one,
the draws are easier, smoother, its much quieter...let me try to explain
It was almost an effort to take a draw through my old hookah. 
Also, you could feel your intake 'pulse' with the bubbles.  The
tray was very light and just laid there, it rattled a lot when the
bubbles burst and it just made more noise in general void of that.
Samir does a good job, everything was packed well (except the syrian
bowl was out of its box and rolling around, still in 1 piece.)  It
looks beautiful and includes plenty of good looking grommets and the
such.  I recomend anyone thinking of buying one to email samir and
see what he can do for a forum member.
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Hey, what ever it takes to sell em! If he said that about a low quality
product, It would irritate me... but its not like even the eBayers are
getting a bad deal.



Im wondering where mine is. I payed for it last Monday, and it still hasnt gotten here yet. Today maybe?(Wed.)
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Dudes, law off on the Taqseem bashing.  We don't want the forum to
go to sh*t again like it did a couple of months ago.  He is a
businessman.  He is trying to make a living.  He is not doing
anything dishonest (read the WHOLE description on Ebay).  If you
guys do not like his advertising, do not buy one of his products. 
Meanwhile, me and the other guys on the forum with one of his awesome
hookahs will be relaxing with a killer smoke .
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I agree that the advertising is stupid, if I had to guess I would say
some people might even be leary to buy something with that kind of
crazy ad.  It would be nice if he said more along the lines of
this style of hookah can go for $900 more, and even possibly the reason
why (pure silver) but this is not a low quality product by any means.
Any of you stargate guys have trouble with the purge valve? I have to
keep an eye on it because the bearing can fall out of the hole and
rattle around inside that cap, giving a crappy smoke..
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