Why Would I Want To Upgrade My Hookah?

[SilverK]

I bought my first hookah this year and since I haven't smoked any others I don't really know where to even start when considering an upgrade. This one is a junior hookah, and it works fine I think, but I didn't shop around or do any research before I bought it.

I've read the huge number of reviews here on different hookahs, and I see that people have their personal preferences, but being ignorant (and new!) I'm not sure what the key things are that I should know before I look a better one. Can you help me?

My needs/wants are:

One that comes with everything needed
easy to clean without a bunch of clogging areas/intricate working parts
1 hose only
ability to travel with it (comes with a carrying case)
a short one (not a 3 foot behemoth!)
a washable QUALITY hose (I don't think the one that came with my hookah is very good and I want one I can wash)
one with pretty carvings on the stem (yeah I know)
one that comes with the right cleaning brushes
one that's purple or red
price range $50-$70

I've also had an issue with headaches, and so has my daughter. I don't know if this is just because I'm new (but I used to smoke cigs) or if it's because of the hookah we're using. If an upgrade could eliminate the headaches then I'd DEFINITELY buy a different one!!!!

And those of you who have lounges (have bought A LOT of hookahs) what do you think?

Thank you SO MUCH in advance!
Edited April 17, 2009 by SilverK

[Sapphire]

check this.

I have a Sahara Candy stripe and I LOVE IT ! it was my 2nd upgrade from my starter hookah.

You can get them in 1 2 3 or 4 hoses, with carry cases. This is what it looks like in purple:

http://www.mr-bills.com/images/Oct%2024,%202006035.jpg

Not that you have to get it from that place, but just using it as an example.


Look for Sahara hookas, and find one you like. The best thing about them is you can get a Rotator stand for them so they can rotate if you wish. They have NICE looking purples. Also, you can get them in candy stripe, or bubble, or vortex... there are lots of designes and they are fabulous hookahs. See following:

In your price range : http://thehookahhouse.com/catalog/sahara-m...okah-p-132.html

And here it is in bubble design. : http://thehookahhouse.com/catalog/sahara-m...okah-p-137.html

Look at this site: its got a lot to choose from, and you can pick how many hoses and what colors you want.
Most of them come with a carrying case and are about medium size.

This is where I got mine from.

Have fun !


Sapph*

[newjacksm]

Most of all hookahs in your price range that are good are usually KM's and MZ's but if you want that color variation you are probably looking at a MYA which costs a lot more. Oh yeah and not to forget Syrian hookahs! they are short but dont have that color, you can find a base that is red or purple and put it on there. I think Syrians are one of the prettiest looking hookahs.

Check out www.gothookahs.com they have all 3 types of hookahs.

As for a washable look for KM Grand hose or a Razan/Nammor hose Edited April 17, 2009 by newjacksm

[ilikemyusername]

look at these, but stay away from the bottom two rows

http://www.hookah-shisha.com/store/pc/view...p?idCategory=16
the headaches are probably caused by your coals, you're prolly using quick light coals, the kind you get started with a lighter, i get headaches eveytime with them and they taste like poo (trust me) if you MUST use them, make sure they're fully red and have a petina of ash on them.
welcome to the forum.

[Giant Ninja Robot]

you can upgrade and stay in your same size range while upping the quality ante quite a bit by getting a small Mya Saray pipe.

You can get a QT, or Bambino both of which are 10-12 inches and smoke comparatively to larger pipes in that price range, or even a slightly taller model like the Chic or Diva or even the 20-22 inch acrylic for a tiny bit more, in the colors you'd want and they come with cases although they have no pretty engravings.

Almost no pipes come with washable hoses as they are more or less aftermarket upgrades, so on that tip I'd go with a Razan, Nammor, or Grand, all of which are essentially the same hose, with the exception being that the grand doesnt have removable tips.

The prettiest engravings on the market pretty much keep to Nour syrian pipes or Khalil Mamoun egyptian pipes but they dont come with cases. You however CAN find them with different color bases and between 20-30 inches, red but probably not purple.

Check HookahCompany.com, thehookah.com, or any of the other many many sites that we rave about for good pipes like these.

[Thermo]

I do like my Sahara, though a lot fo folks don't. It has a nice hose, only a few hiccups with sealing (fixed with teflon tape. Mine is the one-hose version of this pink and silver beast:


A little bit bigger than you're talking (30" or so) but still nice. Is the hose washable? I dunno, but I run water through it from the sink down to the dishwasher and no rust has shown up yet. Feels like a ribbed normal plastic hose.

As for headaches: the best I can say is:

A. Don't throw quicklite coals up onto the bowl if ANY 'black' is showing at all. Let it all ash over, and then some, in the tray, before putting it up on top..

B. Don't suck your eyeballs out on the hose.

C. Don't forget to breathe

[SilverK]

Many thanks for the replies so far! I'll check them all out when I'm off work. Might have follow-up question to your posts, so I'll PM if something ain't clear.

And yes, I'm using quick lighting coals. I wondered if they were causing the headaches. Now that I let them sit a looooong time before using them, the headaches haven't happened. So I think it was user error. Of a coal. Christ on a bike, that's pathetic!!

The other coals seem like a royal PITA...aren't they???

[fineout]

not really, for natural coals all you need is a 10$ electric coil heater and they light in 5-10 minutes, they are definately worth it.

[antouwan]

Many thanks for the replies so far! I'll check them all out when I'm off work. Might have follow-up question to your posts, so I'll PM if something ain't clear.

And yes, I'm using quick lighting coals. I wondered if they were causing the headaches. Now that I let them sit a looooong time before using them, the headaches haven't happened. So I think it was user error. Of a coal. Christ on a bike, that's pathetic!!

The other coals seem like a royal PITA...aren't they???

if by Pain In The Ass you mean tossing them on a stove for the few minutes it takes you to put everything together and load the head properly then i guess. but when you look at it. for the money, they're cheaper (you'll use less because they last longer), and you'll get to enjoy a much longer smoke that isn't completely shit on by the horrible taste of instant lights

[evilded777]

Very good advice you've gotten so far.

I will second the natural coals, though I have never had a problem with QLs and I use a variety of them... if I want a long, pleasant, kick-ass smoke: I break out the Coco Nara's (I have yet to try the CH non QL, but I just got 2 kilos of 'em in today) and heat up the coil burner ($10 at WalGreens, thank you Hookah Forumites!).

I don't have a lot of advice on your hookah choices, though I will say that the engravings make it difficult. Most of what you have lined up calls for a Mya or similar, which is not going to (IMO) have that exotic feel that I think you are going for. So it might be a bit of a toss up for you. Personally, I went with two KM's because they call to me. I'm gonna get a Mya (as soon as my partner stops complaining about all the hookah parcels at the door) for travel, etc; but the KM's will be my babies.

[SilverK]

not really, for natural coals all you need is a 10$ electric coil heater and they light in 5-10 minutes, they are definately worth it.

Ah, I thought you had to do it on the stove, didn't think of using a coil heater. Are those sold at places like Wal-mart or do you have to get them somewhere a little more specialized? I haven't used one before so I don't know what they are. Thank you

Follow-up after reading another post...if you do them on the stove are they very messy? Or does the ash just fall into the little metal 'bowl' under the burner? Is there a lot of ash dropped when you heat them up?

After reading a lot more about coals/heat/duration of smoke, I'm going to go get some (coconara's if they have them locally) and try them this weekend. Edited April 18, 2009 by SilverK

[Thermo]

not really, for natural coals all you need is a 10$ electric coil heater and they light in 5-10 minutes, they are definately worth it.

Ah, I thought you had to do it on the stove, didn't think of using a coil heater. Are those sold at places like Wal-mart or do you have to get them somewhere a little more specialized? I haven't used one before so I don't know what they are. Thank you

Follow-up after reading another post...if you do them on the stove are they very messy? Or does the ash just fall into the little metal 'bowl' under the burner? Is there a lot of ash dropped when you heat them up?

After reading a lot more about coals/heat/duration of smoke, I'm going to go get some (coconara's if they have them locally) and try them this weekend.

The one-burner hotplate that WalMart carries (at least around here) is a flat-top (sorta) model with no exposed heating coils, and costs $17. I'd look for something with exposed coils. Apparently, Walgreens has a better one, more suited, for cheaper. But I haven't ever been there

My natural coals drop a little flake or two of ash under the burner, but I have 'big ugly' chunks of Romman lemonwood coals. Sometimes they go out, and their heat is hard to manage. Check out some of the write-ups in the reviews section.

[Giant Ninja Robot]

burner can be had for about 10 bones at Walgreens

[SilverK]

Whoa have y'all given me some great input on the different makers! All your input really helps, and after looking at a couple of vendors I'm leaning towards the Mya or Syrians. I really prefer the more squat designs, and they're much more affordable!

Just wondering...I found one that looks gorgeous, but I'm thinking I'd just be asking for trouble because it's pretty much ALL glass. Does anyone have experience with one of these? Is it really sturdy or too fragile? It's called "The Luna": http://www.thehookah.com/the-luna-with-cas...ass-hookah.html

[Thermo]

Whoa have y'all given me some great input on the different makers! All your input really helps, and after looking at a couple of vendors I'm leaning towards the Mya or Syrians. I really prefer the more squat designs, and they're much more affordable!

Just wondering...I found one that looks gorgeous, but I'm thinking I'd just be asking for trouble because it's pretty much ALL glass. Does anyone have experience with one of these? Is it really sturdy or too fragile? It's called "The Luna": http://www.thehookah.com/the-luna-with-cas...ass-hookah.html

Well, it certainly is small It's pretty though, if it was bigger (personal taste.) It's a little expensive for the size nation of manufacture, and......

they appear to be out of stock in every color.

[cotsi95]

I have to go shopping....but when i get to the narg ill give you the low down on good vs bad pipes

[cotsi95]

Whoa have y'all given me some great input on the different makers! All your input really helps, and after looking at a couple of vendors I'm leaning towards the Mya or Syrians. I really prefer the more squat designs, and they're much more affordable!

Just wondering...I found one that looks gorgeous, but I'm thinking I'd just be asking for trouble because it's pretty much ALL glass. Does anyone have experience with one of these? Is it really sturdy or too fragile? It's called "The Luna": http://www.thehookah.com/the-luna-with-cas...ass-hookah.html

Well, it certainly is small It's pretty though, if it was bigger (personal taste.) It's a little expensive for the size nation of manufacture, and......

they appear to be out of stock in every color.

Those are cheap Chinese hookahs they dont smoke very well. If you want a short hookah that smokes well and has engravings on it, and a carrying case get a mya bambino. I personally have one and they smoke very well for what they are. They only thing i would change is the bowl as all mya bowl pretty much suck. Get a nice MOD bowl or phunnel (Tangiers not chinese as the chinese dont hold heat as well as the tangiers ones and you go through more coals)

http://www.southsmoke.com/pd_the_bambino.cfm

also it comes in burgundy.

as for a washable hose go with a Grand Washable

http://hookahcompany.com/grand_washable_eg...e_3564_prd1.htm

they seem to be built better then razans and nammors (ive had a bunch and they end up falling apart after a few months where as my grand is still the same as the day i got it and i treat it like shit)

for your coals the easiest transition from qls to naturals would be japanese coals. I HIGHLY recommend the Fumari Japs or Golden Canarys there a little more expensive but are amazing thats all i use.

http://www.fumari.com/hookah-charcoal

http://www.southsmoke.com/pd_japanese.cfm

STAY FAR AWAY from basically any other jap coals on the market especially the ones that have 3 coals to a stick (There made in china and are shitty!)

Hope this helps

[SilverK]

Everyone who said to go with Coconara's is RIGHT! Dayum...now I know how you guys manage to keep a bowl of shisha going for so long!!!!!!

I LOVE COCO'S. Glad I didn't spend another day using those sucky quick light coals!!!!!! And the guys at Club Tangiers were nice enough to let me exchange the big box (minus one roll) of quick lights for a bag of Cocos. Thumbs up for Club Tangiers!

COTSI, your post is excellent, and you're dead-on right about the Mya Bambino...I fell in love with the little guy and I'm pretty sure that's what I'll get soon. And I can live with it not being purple or red. It's gorgeous in both blue and green. The bumpy vase is cool, but the cloisonne is what sells it for me. That and hearing it's a quality hookah! Thanks kid! Edited April 18, 2009 by SilverK

[cotsi95]

Your welcome if you want to save a little money on it too i have a dark blue one that i NEVER use its got a big mya ashtray on it too (the little one they come with are a PITA cuz when u ash the coals they fall between the bowl and the tray. PM me if u are interested.

[SilverK]

Your welcome if you want to save a little money on it too i have a dark blue one that i NEVER use its got a big mya ashtray on it too (the little one they come with are a PITA cuz when u ash the coals they fall between the bowl and the tray. PM me if u are interested.

Is the cloisonne part of the Mya Bambino plastic/epoxy stuff or is it solid glassish stuff with real enameling aka cloisonne?

[cotsi95]

its cast into it and enameled ive never seen the color come off of a bambino.

[erufiku]

another Bambino owner you won't be disappointed! I've had mine for 1.5 years and it's still in great shape. things you might want to get is a larger ashtray, a phunnel bowl, and a washable hose.

ps: I've got the green one and it's gorgeous. Easy to see the water level as well.

[Capt. Morgan]

+1 for the bambino. Absolutely love mine.

[SilverK]

Many thanks to all of you for taking the time to give me your input from experience.

Tomorrow I'm going to That 70's Store to pick up my new Mya Bambino in cobalt blue. The owner Michael is matching the lowest online price I found, and he's got the bigger trays and all the other bells and whistles I want to get to upgrade the base model.

I can't wait to use it because the only hookah I've smoked from is this starter hookah (made in China). Here's to hoping it's got better pull than this lung-buster I've got now! Edited April 24, 2009 by SilverK

[SilverK]

Well I'm enjoying a nice bowl of Fantasia XXX in my new Mya Bambino! God this hookah hits great (nice fat stem) and the hose's mouthpiece is sweet, and overall it's fabulous!

If anyone is looking for a great, affordable and portable hookah then you won't be sorry with the Mya Bambino. I got mine locally, from a vendor who matched the low online price, and here's the one I got (in dark blue):

http://www.hookahcompany.com/mya_bambino_h...h_3457_prd1.htm