Hookah For Gift - Advice Please

[CasSmo]

Hello, first post here.

Though I have yet to smoke a hookah, my girlfriend has on occasion, and her birthday is coming up. She mentioned she has always wanted her own hookah, so I'm asking for any advice you all might have.

Now, she doesn't smoke often and will likely never smoke her hookah alone. At first I was thinking multihose or something that can be converted into a multihose (for convenience in groups), but after reading up, a lot of you seem to say single hose is still the way to go. I'm also trying to stay around $100 or hopefully under.

Right now, I'm considering Nour Syrians, generic Syrians (like the "Engineer" from hookah-shisha), KMs (from gothookahs), MZs (from other sites), or the MYA Acrylic.

I'd appreciate any opinions.
Thanks.

[Tikhman]

go with a smaller mya,
bambino, qt, acrylic, etc.

no need for a huge KM for an occasional smoker, plus Myas are easier to learn on.

[MrMoodz]

Being that you will be smoking with your girlfriend, get her one that you would also enjoy smoking out of. For a $100 or less you have a whole lot of options. You could go with a less expensive hookah and use the extra money on tobacco and coals? Edited November 3, 2008 by MrMoodz

[AKammenzind]

KM's/MZ's are good, as are the syrians from H-S (though the H-S syrians are pretty pricey).

If yinz guys usually smoke in groups you might consider getting one of hookah shisha's multi-hosed egyptians... they're pretty good quality. My group has been smoking out of one for... almost two years now and it's still going strong.

Really, you should find one that you think she'll really like the look of, then check the forums to see if anyone has experience with that particular hookah.

[steeeeeeve]

If she is only going to smoke occasionally look at the MYA QT in my opinion, its small, cheaper, can be multihose and smokes like any bigger hookah no problem, if your not over fussed by the multi hose go with a bambino which looks sweet as.

[CasSmo]

Ya, I am thinking about one I would like to smoke also. (Actually, for the moment we are long distance, so I'm going to time the online order to coincide with my next visit in a few weeks.) Right now, I'm just trying to get enough opinions to make an informed decision. What better place to get the info than from a huge online community?

I've read mixed opinions on MYAs. Some people say they are just awesome and others have said that KMs, Syrians, and MZs are far superior to them. Wasn't really considering a small one, but I have heard a Bambino smokes as well as some large ones. This true?

Oh, I was also considering adding on a diffuser. (more heat exchange and filtration)

[gaia.plateau]

I have a KM, a MZ, a Brass Syrian and a Mya, among others... the Mya Bambino is overall the best hookah available for commercial purchase in the world, in my experience, and smokes as well as any KM or MZ. That said, if she/you're going to be using a Nammor or Razan hose, I would recommend against a Bambino because with heavier hoses it can tip relatively easily.

I would recommend against getting her a multi-hose, it can be difficult to get good smoke out of them for a novice and you really only need them if you have 6+ people smoking one pipe, sitting on opposite sides of it. (Even on a multi-hose hookah you need to take turns puffing, so you may as well be passing a hose and getting an easier draw). Edited November 3, 2008 by gaia.plateau

[AKammenzind]

Ya, I am thinking about one I would like to smoke also. (Actually, for the moment we are long distance, so I'm going to time the online order to coincide with my next visit in a few weeks.) Right now, I'm just trying to get enough opinions to make an informed decision. What better place to get the info than from a huge online community?

I've read mixed opinions on MYAs. Some people say they are just awesome and others have said that KMs, Syrians, and MZs are far superior to them. Wasn't really considering a small one, but I have heard a Bambino smokes as well as some large ones. This true?

Oh, I was also considering adding on a diffuser. (more heat exchange and filtration)

Props to you for doing your research. One thing to keep in mind is cleaning the hookah. Hookahs over 30 inches are a right pain in the ass to clean if all you have nearby is a sink. A bathtub or garden hose (if you're in a warm area) solves this if possible... but sometimes those just aren't really viable choices.

Diffusers do work, but don't honestly make much difference... and commercial diffusers just plain aren't worth it for the money.

From what I've heard, most people's beef with MYAs are that they don't have as easy draw as some higher-end egyptians/syrians out there, which may or may not be important to you.

[steeeeeeve]

Km's etc do in my own opinion smoke a little better than mya (i own an exotica and a QT) but they are also harder to clean and much larger and harder to store.

regular smoker id recommend a KM

occasional id have to say mya QT

Diffusers dont add any filtration they only make the noise less

Steve

[gaia.plateau]

One thing to keep in mind is cleaning the hookah. Hookahs over 30 inches are a right pain in the ass to clean if all you have nearby is a sink. A bathtub or garden hose (if you're in a warm area) solves this if possible... but sometimes those just aren't really viable choices.

Diffusers do work, but don't honestly make much difference... and commercial diffusers just plain aren't worth it for the money.

For cleaning a 30+ inch pipe that doesn't come apart at the heart chamber, just fill up a 2cup measuring cup with hot water, get out your cleaning brush, put some basic anti-bacterial dish soap on it, and yeah, go to town. It's not as easy as a 12 inch but it's doable.

Diffusers make a pipe quieter, that's aboot it.

[modisess]

if she digs the cutesy type of stuffs, then go with the smaller myas.. maybe a chic or diva?

[Capt. Morgan]

Mya diva is a good one. Smokes well and can be set up for multiple hoses.

[Rayneuki]

Go with a mya QT. I love mine :] Easy to clean and take care of, pretty good for travel, and smokes like a champ.

[CasSmo]

Wow, way to complicate my options.
I have some time to contemplate things.

I think the groups she's smoked with have been 5 to 10 people. I believe it was single hose at those gatherings.

The MYA Bambino sounds impressive (only seen good reviews of it). I could always get a bamboo turntable from target to make it a rotating hookah. I suppose that is certainly under consideration.
How do the MYA QT and Diva compare to the Bambino?

Hey, thanks for all the input. Don't let me stop anyone from adding anything else. And I'll be sure to post what I eventually decide on.

[steeeeeeve]

QT Chic Diva Bambino all smoke from my experience exactly the same, the QT can be single OR multi hose the bambino can only be one but im not too sure about the chic and diva

[antouwan]

qt's aren't bad for the price. it really depends on the preference, if you/she like a more traditional look, and all of the history and culture surrounding all of this - then go with something traditional. if she likes the cute kind of things, then you can't go wrong with a mya qt (or other small mya) with its' vast array of colors.

personally, as a lebanese, i prefer the look of the more traditional pipes AND their functionality; i have a mya vortex and a qt, and mini acrylic - they smoke great, but myas DO NOT purge nearly as well as any of my other handmade pipes. i also prefer the draw of handmade pipes to any mya any day.

that being said, a rookie won't know the difference.

[cotsi95]

check out the mya taverna from southsmoke.com there awesome pipes there mid size they smoke well, look good, and they can be made into more the 1 hose if she decides she needs more hoses...

[HookahCutie831]

Hello, first post here.

Though I have yet to smoke a hookah, my girlfriend has on occasion, and her birthday is coming up. She mentioned she has always wanted her own hookah, so I'm asking for any advice you all might have.

Now, she doesn't smoke often and will likely never smoke her hookah alone. At first I was thinking multihose or something that can be converted into a multihose (for convenience in groups), but after reading up, a lot of you seem to say single hose is still the way to go. I'm also trying to stay around $100 or hopefully under.

Right now, I'm considering Nour Syrians, generic Syrians (like the "Engineer" from hookah-shisha), KMs (from gothookahs), MZs (from other sites), or the MYA Acrylic.

I'd appreciate any opinions.
Thanks.

I have a Mya Bambino, its the cutest and a good smoke for the size and price.

[CasSmo]

Well. I went with a 23" Nour Syrian. It looks great. She loves it, and made her day, which had been going horribly. She thinks it's the perfect height, and she loves the green vase. She was amazed that it came with everything but coal (including a carrying bag and metal screen) -- she wasn't aware that a lot of online stores include this stuff. So we'll be breaking it in Friday night! I'll try to remember to post a review of what I think of it in the review section.

Thanks for the input everyone. I definitely weighed the options carefully. I decided against the small ones for a few reasons: taller & more stable hookah is better if there is a large group or if she gets a heavier hose, thought the Syrian looked better, saw a detailed review of this particular hookah on this forum, can fit more ice in a larger base, heard common chamber doesn't purge well

Hmmm....I may need to get myself a hookah now..........

[mbeck]

Get a Mya Saray. The QT, Acrylic, Razo and Chic can all be used as 1 or 2 hose (Acrylic up to 4 hose). They are easy to learn on and easy to maintain.

Dont get the Bambino as it is limited to 1 hose and you want the option to expand. The Razo and Chic are the same size as the QT but have better build quality, expecially in the glass vase.

Mya is a good solution since almost all online merchants carry them and therefore replacement parts are easy to find.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Mike
Hookah Life

[neffertiti]

great choice, I have that same hookah and it is my go-to pipe.

the only small compalint about it is that the coal tray isn't quite big enough.

but trust me, you won't be dissapointed with it!!!

[FactorE]

I would get a Mya QT for her since its alot easier to set up and manage compare to a KM to me.

[Rani]

Wow, way to complicate my options.
I have some time to contemplate things.

I think the groups she's smoked with have been 5 to 10 people. I believe it was single hose at those gatherings.

The MYA Bambino sounds impressive (only seen good reviews of it). I could always get a bamboo turntable from target to make it a rotating hookah. I suppose that is certainly under consideration.
How do the MYA QT and Diva compare to the Bambino?

Hey, thanks for all the input. Don't let me stop anyone from adding anything else. And I'll be sure to post what I eventually decide on.

I'm not a Mya fan and never have been..... Because of their company policies. Their products are just fine. Having said that.... The bambino is perhaps in my opinion the singularly most beautiful pipe I've ever seen up close and personal. As a woman, any man who gave me one would be getting very lucky for a very long time. And no, I'm not joking. It is a gorgeous, very functional pipe and ornately quite "girlie-sexy" in my opinion.

'Rani

[drabin]

I'm not a Mya fan and never have been..... Because of their company policies. Their products are just fine. Having said that.... The bambino is perhaps in my opinion the singularly most beautiful pipe I've ever seen up close and personal. As a woman, any man who gave me one would be getting very lucky for a very long time. And no, I'm not joking. It is a gorgeous, very functional pipe and ornately quite "girlie-sexy" in my opinion.

'Rani

just wondering what do you mean company policies?

And to the OP: i wouldn't suggest the turntable idea. with such a small hookah it feels like a way to ensure a few falls. If you need to turn it often just go witht he qt or one of its counterparts and get the 2 hose version.

[Rani]

I'm not a Mya fan and never have been..... Because of their company policies. Their products are just fine. Having said that.... The bambino is perhaps in my opinion the singularly most beautiful pipe I've ever seen up close and personal. As a woman, any man who gave me one would be getting very lucky for a very long time. And no, I'm not joking. It is a gorgeous, very functional pipe and ornately quite "girlie-sexy" in my opinion.

'Rani

just wondering what do you mean company policies?

And to the OP: i wouldn't suggest the turntable idea. with such a small hookah it feels like a way to ensure a few falls. If you need to turn it often just go witht he qt or one of its counterparts and get the 2 hose version.

Hookah's are not Mya's main product. They are a glass manufacturer and seem almost somewhat embarrased to offer a smoking implement. They do not actually publically support their own product. I find it impossible to financially support a company who will willingly take my money but refuses to support changing the image of the very product and people they are making money off of. It just strikes me as being very hypocritical and the only method as a general consumer I have to show my displeasure with their policy is to withhold my money, and so that's what I personally choose to do.

'Rani