I say if you're paying 250+ on something, it shouldn't be made out of something as fragile as glass......."
Thats a general phrase. something...
Thats why there is a post of a $250 piece of something...yes its a bong, and yes this is a vaporizer thread.
As for claiming which unit is better, there are many variables. I don't own a vaporizer, My friends on the other hand have basically everything on the market when it comes to vaps. I like the herbalairs quality, smoke properties, ease of use and think its great for the money. I like the volcano @ parties, and I like the super vapzilla's taste properties the best. I also prefer a the whip design.
All of them make great machines and hold both zeniths and shortcomings.
This is just like audiology. Equipment, and environment can only make up so much for the experience. It's the listener that is the variable and each has individual and unique experiences and ways to perceive them.
Some things you buy have limited warranties. Things either happen or they don't. If you have to special order the unit and pay $500 retail, perhaps you might not have a problem paying $20 for a new connector, or having a 3rd party make one. Maybe you do though, and in this case curse the unit forever!
I had a friend that bought a McIntosh 275 reissued tube amp for over 5 grand. His table broke and is went bye bye one day crashing to the floor. If he had a solid state amp, it might have been fine. To him, the 275 was a representation of perfect sound and his listening experience. Even though a solid state can be more forgiving in a fall, it still didn't have the experience the 275 had.
I never said you shouldn't worry about the glass bowl. Its something that has to be accounted for, but isn't something that makes the unit as a whole, a bad experience. Im agreeing with you on quality but there are so many other factors at play here