tjt486 Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 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) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioannisds Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lakemonster Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjt486 Posted October 8, 2005 Author Share Posted October 8, 2005 So what are the advantages/differences of a longer vs shorter hookah? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjt486 Posted October 8, 2005 Author Share Posted October 8, 2005 is the taqseem 2 hose auto-seal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire-Soul Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 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) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire-Soul Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 Erg.... Beginning of November. Long day. Fire-Soul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioannisds Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 [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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR Bubble Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 [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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjt486 Posted October 9, 2005 Author Share Posted October 9, 2005 I think Im leaning toward the stargate, it just looks so much different than everything else I have seen and its gotten good reviews around here. Is the 2 hose version an auto-seal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lakemonster Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[LB] Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corona Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioannisds Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 [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 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yashman19 Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 Umm, I don't believe the hose section is supposed to be able to unscrew from the base. Just the carb. And whats all this talk about 2hose Stargates? I was unaware that these existed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioannisds Posted October 10, 2005 Share Posted October 10, 2005 [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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yashman19 Posted October 10, 2005 Share Posted October 10, 2005 Ooo nifty, didn't know about the 2 hosers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjt486 Posted October 10, 2005 Author Share Posted October 10, 2005 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioannisds Posted October 11, 2005 Share Posted October 11, 2005 [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 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjt486 Posted October 19, 2005 Author Share Posted October 19, 2005 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldfire22x Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 i still love the marketing lol: [b]"[/b][b]Get it because I promise you they will not stay for long with $900.00 OFF.[/b][b]"[/b] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HookahDuck Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 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.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioannisds Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 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 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjt486 Posted October 19, 2005 Author Share Posted October 19, 2005 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.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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