I agree with the bubbler. I tend to use more with a bong, and pipes tend to start to hurt my throat if I try and smoke too much. If you get a bubbler, make sure it will stand up by itself. I like sherlock bubblers; hammers tend to get water in your mouth.
I have two bongs and countless pipes, and the pipes just sit and look pretty. I love collecting them, but when it comes to medicating, the bong is the only way to go for me nowadays.