Picked this guy up for $60 at a local headshop after doing some research, and let me tell you it is easily the best piece i have purchased. I have not tried out other vaporizers, so i can't give you a comparative review, but i can tell you the pros and cons vs a pipe or just in general. PROS: EASY TO USE. I had it down after my first bowl. Just watch a few videos on youtube, and even your first bowl will be great. NO SMELL. Well, there is a slight smell (not really a weed smell though) right after you use it, but that would only affect you if you blew it in someones face. Other than that, the smell goes away in less than a minute. You could vape in your car or room and have no lingering smell. CONSERVES. Maybe not as well as higher end vaporizers, but definitely moreso than a bowl. Plus, you can smoke, cook with, or even re-vape the vaped weed. CHEAP. This may be one of the cheapest vaporizers on the market. INCONSPICUOUS. Looks just like a tobacco pipe. VERY HARD TO COMBUST THE WEED. You pretty much have to be trying VERY hard to accidentally combust the weed. CONS: TASTE. If you use a butane lighter that is. Even with the butane lighter, the taste is better than smoking a both with one. However, if you use beeline, you can REALLY taste the weed (and it tastes great). SMALL BOWL SIZE, NOT FOR SHARING. The bowl is so small that its really for one or two people. We did it with three and the third guy barely got a hit. Of course you could all just pack your own, smaller bowls. Overall, this is a great buy for anyone looking for a portable vape, the health benefits of a vaporizer, or looking to smoke in their room without it leaving a smell. Feel free to post any questions you may have.