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Advice Regarding Buying A Hookah


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Hey guys,

I've been on the forum a while and it's been really helpful. For instance, I tried INCUBUSRATM's tealight mod last week and I found it really great. Probably the best way to save shisha.
So here's the question. I'm moving to Michigan in a month (going to University there) and I plan on buying a new hookah once I get there. Thing is, for the first few months (this period could extend up to the duration of the first semester) I'm going to be on a budget. I can't pack my existing hookah simply due to lack of space. I was looking over the collection at hookah-shisha.com and I was wondering - Is it worth buying off the clearance sale? There seem to be some excellent prices there, which led me to think 'Could it be just *too* good to be believable?'

Any advice regarding the buying of a hookah once I'm in the US would also be appreciated.

Thanks so much :)
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I didn't really see any good deals on the clearance section. They're on clearance for a reason. I've heard there is a pretty good local market I think around Dearborn, MI. I would check that out before ordering on line.

EDIT:

Oh yeah, have you considered packing everything but the vase? The stem, hose and bowl wouldn't really take up much space if you just stuffed them in with your clothes. Then you would just have to get a vase when you get to the states. Edited by Skoozle
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http://www.hookah-shisha.com/p-2330-mini-mya-clearance-hookah.html

The Mini Mya is pretty plain, but also pretty fabulous in performance.
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Mya QT from H-S or as Skooz mentioned, plenty of hookah deals in Dearborn. Really any of the small cheaper Myas will treat you right, even the Petite. Just choose which one you think looks best.

Thanks for the namedrop, although it is not my idea. I simply made the written how-to and video because at the time none really existed. :P
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[quote name='Skoozle' timestamp='1309446009' post='514262']
I didn't really see any good deals on the clearance section. They're on clearance for a reason. I've heard there is a pretty good local market I think around Dearborn, MI. I would check that out before ordering on line.

EDIT:

Oh yeah, have you considered packing everything but the vase? The stem, hose and bowl wouldn't really take up much space if you just stuffed them in with your clothes. Then you would just have to get a vase when you get to the states.
[/quote]


Ah well, I decided to give my hookah to my friend, being the extremely generous person that I am. We've done all our hookah flavor experimenting together so he was the best person to give it to ;)

[quote name='INCUBUSRATM' timestamp='1309453502' post='514278']
Mya QT from H-S or as Skooz mentioned, plenty of hookah deals in Dearborn. Really any of the small cheaper Myas will treat you right, even the Petite. Just choose which one you think looks best.

Thanks for the namedrop, although it is not my idea. I simply made the written how-to and video because at the time none really existed. :P
[/quote]


Ah yeah, I just noticed - I should've said INCUBUSRATM's *thread* on the mod :D But yes, I initially had the idea of buying a new one here and packing it and all that.. decided it wasn't worth it. So I'll be keeping my eye out for good deals I could possibly look at myself - the online stores are secondary options.

[quote name='vendetta_revived' timestamp='1309465422' post='514286']
And hey! Where did you get a phunnel bowl here?
[/quote]


Never used a phunnel bowl, mate ;) Just the normal clay chillum. I love clay chillums man, superb heat absorption and all that!


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[quote name='sheik_steampunk' timestamp='1310061411' post='515012']
[quote name='vendetta_revived' timestamp='1309465422' post='514286']
And hey! Where did you get a phunnel bowl here?
[/quote]


[u]Never used a phunnel bowl, mate[/u] ;) Just the normal clay chillum. I love clay chillums man, superb heat absorption and all that!



[/quote]

Tangiers phunnels are made from clay only man, but how did you use the tealight mod without the phunnel? :blink:
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[quote name='Skoozle' timestamp='1310068883' post='515024']
Whether a spire extends up into the tea light mod or not, it would still have the effect of reducing the volumetric capacity of the bowl.
[/quote]

Exactly. +1 you you, good sir.
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[quote name='Epoch' timestamp='1309450580' post='514272']
[url="http://www.hookah-shisha.com/p-2330-mini-mya-clearance-hookah.html"]http://www.hookah-sh...nce-hookah.html[/url]

The Mini Mya is pretty plain, but also pretty fabulous in performance.
[/quote]


[quote name='vendetta_revived' timestamp='1309452926' post='514275']
Brand new mya qt for the same price.

[url="http://www.hookahjohn.com/MYA-QT-063.htm"]http://www.hookahjoh.../MYA-QT-063.htm[/url]
[/quote]



Looking at the two, I somehow prefer the Mini Mya. Over here, I had a 26 inch hookah, and I don't know if I can go to looking and smoking from one that's half it's size ;) :D

[color="#ff0000"]So what would you guys suggest, an acrylic base, or glass? Or does it make no difference?[/color]

Also, I hate the stock normal wood hose that comes along with most hookahs.[color="#ff0000"] I'm trying to make a decision between[/color]:

*Nammor hookah hose -[url="http://www.hookah-shisha.com/p-1574-nammor-hookah-hoses.html"]http://www.hookah-shisha.com/p-1574-nammor-hookah-hoses.html[/url]
*Mya Cloisonne hose - [url="http://www.hookah-shisha.com/p-485-cloisonne-mya-saray-hookah-hose.html"]http://www.hookah-shisha.com/p-485-cloisonne-mya-saray-hookah-hose.html[/url]
*Khalil Mamoon hose - [url="http://www.hookah-shisha.com/p-5285-khalil-mamoon-hookah-hoses.html"]http://www.hookah-shisha.com/p-5285-khalil-mamoon-hookah-hoses.html[/url]
*Magical Mystery hookah hose - [url="http://www.hookah-shisha.com/p-5156-magical-mystery-hookah-hose.html"]http://www.hookah-shisha.com/p-5156-magical-mystery-hookah-hose.html[/url]

I know that the hose definitely impacts the quality of smoke, and therefor the entire hookah session, so unlike the case with the actual hookah, I don't mind spending a *little* more money on the hose, and this price range seems ok to me. And as for me, out of the 4 I've only tried a Nammor before which I liked. Any suggestions?
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[quote name='MichaelLCP' timestamp='1310195437' post='515246']
Nammor is the only way to go. Best draw and its the only truly washable hose.
[/quote]

Thanks! :) These Nammors look kinda snazzy too! :D


Also, looking through the forum, it appears that there's lots of stuff I need to know regarding the accessories y'all use in the US and stuff. Back here in India almost 99.999% percent of people just use a plain concave bowl. LOL.
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[quote name='sheik_steampunk' timestamp='1310194858' post='515245']

Looking at the two, I somehow prefer the Mini Mya. Over here, I had a 26 inch hookah, and I don't know if I can go to looking and smoking from one that's half it's size ;) :D

[color="#ff0000"]So what would you guys suggest, an acrylic base, or glass? Or does it make no difference?[/color]
[/quote]


I haven't used the mini mya, so I can't really comment on it, but have used a mya qt and can say with confidence that it's brilliant. Check out this thread.

http://www.hookahforum.com/topic/42836-is-there-such-a-thing-as-perfect-session/

That was my first session on this pipe and left me wondering what I did different, but later I found out that every session I have with it ends up being full of smoke+flavour.

The acrylic base definitely has it's plus though - very hard to break! The only things that bother me about the one you're looking at are :-

1.) It is a clearance piece.
2.) I don't know how heavy the acrylic base is in comparison to a glass base. If it's rather light, then it would compromise the stability of the hookah, especially when using something like a nammor with it.

If someone with an acrylic chimes in and can tell us about how heavy the base is, and if you're okay with ordering a clearance piece, then by all means go with it. It will smoke just like the QT I am sure as they all have same gauge stems. :)
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Well in any case buddy, they clearly specify that the items on clearance sale have *only* cosmetic defects, and are fully operational. But yeah I can understand the general apprehension in buying an item off clearance.

As for the Mya - yes I've smoked on it countless number of times, because all the hookah bars here use that as a standard, amongst a few others. But I can safely say that the Mya QT is the hookah that is used about 98% of time at all bars. It's a great hookah too, no doubts whatsoever.

So in addition to vendetta_revived's question about the base, here's mine:

Is there anyone who might have used both the Mini Mya and the Maya QT and could give us some comparative insights?
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OH OH I COMPLETELY FORGOT.

Sorry for that caps bit, it was just to get some attention [img]http://www.hookahforum.com/public/style_emoticons/default/happy.gif[/img]

I'm planning on buying some shisha and bringing it to the US. (Pan Rasna, I hear, is sometimes hard to find, and it so happens that pan rasna is as abundant in India as dogs are.) I wanted to find out how much tobacco I'm allowed to bring in to the country as per customs regulations? Anyone got any info on that? I tried Yahoo! Answers and all that but I got different answers. Someone says there is no restriction, another one tells me 500 cigarettes, blah blah. And the US Customs site had no mention of tobacoo at all when I checked.


Thanks guys! :)
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[i]Duty Free
The following goods may be imported by visitors over 21 years of age into the USA without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 2kg of smoking tobacco or proportionate amounts of each; 0.95l (1qt) of alcoholic beverage; gifts or articles up to a value of US$100.

[/i]Btw you forgot to attach the pic of your base. :)
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[quote name='sheik_steampunk' timestamp='1310233295' post='515285']
Well in any case buddy, they clearly specify that the [b]items on clearance sale have *only* cosmetic defects[/b], and are fully operational. But yeah I can understand the general apprehension in buying an item off clearance.

As for the Mya - yes I've smoked on it countless number of times, because all the hookah bars here use that as a standard, amongst a few others. But I can safely say that the Mya QT is the hookah that is used about 98% of time at all bars. It's a great hookah too, no doubts whatsoever.

So in addition to vendetta_revived's question about the base, here's mine:

[b]Is there anyone who might have used both the Mini Mya and the Maya QT and could give us some comparative insights?[/b]
[/quote]

The clearance Mini Myas don't have any defects, they're just getting rid of a big overstock. I've gotten a few of them and they're all brand new out of the original box.

As for comparing the QT and the Mini Mya, they have identical pull quality, and come with the same model hose. The bowl that comes with the QT is shallower than the bowl on the Mini Mya, but they're the same unglazed ceramic material. Basically it's a matter of what you'd rather look at. Edited by Epoch
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[quote name='vendetta_revived' timestamp='1310241092' post='515302']
[i]Duty Free
The following goods may be imported by visitors over 21 years of age into the USA without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 2kg of smoking tobacco or proportionate amounts of each; 0.95l (1qt) of alcoholic beverage; gifts or articles up to a value of US$100.

[/i]Btw you forgot to attach the pic of your base. :)
[/quote]


Um, picture of what base? :\

[quote name='Epoch' timestamp='1310318751' post='515364']
[quote name='sheik_steampunk' timestamp='1310233295' post='515285']
Well in any case buddy, they clearly specify that the [b]items on clearance sale have *only* cosmetic defects[/b], and are fully operational. But yeah I can understand the general apprehension in buying an item off clearance.

As for the Mya - yes I've smoked on it countless number of times, because all the hookah bars here use that as a standard, amongst a few others. But I can safely say that the Mya QT is the hookah that is used about 98% of time at all bars. It's a great hookah too, no doubts whatsoever.

So in addition to vendetta_revived's question about the base, here's mine:

[b]Is there anyone who might have used both the Mini Mya and the Maya QT and could give us some comparative insights?[/b]
[/quote]

The clearance Mini Myas don't have any defects, they're just getting rid of a big overstock. I've gotten a few of them and they're all brand new out of the original box.

As for comparing the QT and the Mini Mya, they have identical pull quality, and come with the same model hose. The bowl that comes with the QT is shallower than the bowl on the Mini Mya, but they're the same unglazed ceramic material. Basically it's a matter of what you'd rather look at.
[/quote]

Oh thanks Epoch! Since a lot of people have been telling me that the performance is more or less the same, I think I'd go with the Mini Mya. Deeper bowl, at least for the beginning. Until I save up some money to do some upgrades! :)
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Oh, and both hookahs will hold a large Nammor hose just fine, there's no stability issues.
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personally, i'd go with a qt or a bambino (i'd take the bambino - because it has a smooth inner shaft (unlike every other mya, to my knowledge) so it's easier to clean and the flavors don't ghost as much - that's my main beef with myas, and the common chamber.

but either of the three will be just about the same, i would say the qt or the bambino because they have glass bases - and i'm still freaked out by bpa leakage (i even keep all of my tobacco in pyrex containers).
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Stability issues apart - does the base material make *that* much of a difference? I'm sure hookah makers make their bases *decently* strong enough..
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