I can either get this HVY tube http://www.grasscity.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/302x/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/I/M/IMG_3887_1.jpg or this HVY beaker http://www.grasscity.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/302x/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/A/Q/AQL-100121-4.jpg Please tell me which would be a better (durability, ease of use, water amount, ect) buy!
#1, HVY is really thick glass. Either way, you're getting a solid piece. Straight tubes have stronger joints and are the advertised thickness all the way up and down, while beakers may be thinner where they are blown out. Beakers have weaker joints, in general. Personally I like straight tubes (I own one), but I've happily smoked out of beakers many a time.