I've had a Silver Surfer for about a year, purchased from the maker off eBay for around $125. I'm very pleased with it. It's a well made, durable unit. I don't think it's fragile at all. It heats up quickly (about 5 minutes) and has performed very consistently for me on a near daily basis for the past year. It is the only delivery method I use.
The version I bought does not have the plastic base, which was a later addition. The base was added for greater stability. I personally prefer no base because I have my own way of using the unit: I do not use the plastic tube or glass bowl that came with the SSV. The head of the glass "condom" is slightly bulbous, leaving enough space for a small nug of your favorite plant matter. Because the SSV is cylindrical instead of boxlike, it can be picked up and handled quite easily (its diameter is roughly that of a wine bottle). I'm guessing that the plastic base could be removed fairly easily if you want to use this method; check with the maker.
I've used the plastic tube device with a previous vape unit I had, but I stopped because I found the hot air dried out my sinuses. Water filtration moistens the air slightly and catches particulates. Some people run the plastic tube into their bong stem, but I think eliminating the tube altogether is a more elegant solution. In addition to the benefits of water filtration, this solves the gravity issue you alluded to and also more closely resembles the conventional mechanics of smoking that we all know and love.
I estimate the glass bowl that comes with the unit is about 1.5 cm in diameter. Let me know if you have additional questions and I will attempt to answer them.