HiSi/PHX Reviews

Had some discussions with the HiSi crew about their products and what I could say after using them in the lounge. The drain slide with the slightly larger hole in the center then a circle of smaller holes ringing in in the push: great idea but the outer holes seemed to clog fairly easily. And incorporating only two ice pinches to accommodate their blasted logo on the side could be easily remedied by moving it back down to the base, or even going vertical, as could the addition of a splashguard on top of the triple perc to avoid the current kiss one gets. Simple probs, simple solutions. I also thought they should bring back the blasted hashmarks on the outside, as not only does it maintain their "scientific" theme, but also offers functionality in allowing users a guide for water addition. Other than that, I really like their squared-off bases, which increase their stability and center of gravity. Good folks from just south of here, they were very neighborly in giving me a 14mm crosshair slide and a trashcatcher for additional testing (thanks again!) and here are my thoughts...

(Sitting on a "Recycled Record," a rubber-like coaster for your glass to rest on, made out of wetsuits & tires or something similar by a guy in NJ-it was gonna be mousepads for me until I met this dude!) The crosshair is definitely a fast slide, due to the two large slits, and is best used probably in a beaker or bubble bottom with a downstem, or with an A/C, to regulate the speed (as opposed to the stemless I was using). The bowl gets real hot when used repeatedly, but the stem below it stays relatively cooler. The 14mm T/C is a no bells & whistles affair; a fixed downstem that is attached to the bottom of the can with slits to allow flow. I wish the hashmarks were on the outside instead of the inner stem, as they become difficult to see with use. But they really would offer very little in the way of functionality in this case, as only a minimal amount of water can be used in this device. This requires constant changing of the water with even light use. But it does what it is intended to, by adding an extra level of water filtration to whatever it is you might choose to use it with, and like the crosshair, is pretty much drag-free.

PHX, a brand which I have never really liked, has stepped up their game, and some of their new products are really quite nice. Check out their new "Core Bubbler" if you have a chance, and their honeycomb diffuser as well, for example...

This new "Honeycomb Diffused Duo" tube from PHX is a real notch under the belt for this crew...


Bent-neck stem I like much better than the vertical ones, allowing for bigger slides and A/C's instead of only T/C's. This forced perc flows upward into the honeycomb...

From there it's up through a dome perc and a splashguard with again, only two ice pinches to allow for their logo.

Ego obstructing functionality, a real curse in this industry at times, lol. Add a pinch and shrink your logo a tad, c'mon. Having two isn't that bad, but when a big piece of half-melted ice drops down and cracks my splashguard, I'm not too happy.
This baby even has a patent apparently, lol! Other than my own issue with the pinches, this thing is FAST. Lightning-fast (like I was saying earlier, this was a little too fast ideally in combination with the crosshair), no drag, and frosty with a couple ice cubes. Easily adjust the level in the dome chamber by a quick puff and the angled-neck stem shoots out excess like a garden hose, ha, and the honeycomb chamber stays level. Was gonna grab a single (no dome & splashguard) to try out but was told by the guy at the booth that there was a lot of splash in that model (so he gave me a double at the same price, thx bro!). All in all, this stemless double perc straight is a real nice addition to any tube lover's collection for sure! Fits nicely in one of VOLO's old RYOT Pro Cases (I've been using & abusing the one they gave me in March ever since!); their new ones have a velvety-soft new lining and new sizing as well!

Fantastic stuff as always, and it was great to see the whole VOLO team again! Thanks for the shirt too!