Definitely go ahead with the bong. I would smoke a bong over a joint anyday. You can get big rips without burning your throat and the reduced health risks are supposedly well worth it, although the government hasn't been allowing any research to be done on that.

If you don't want to spend too much money, get an acrylic bong, but if you have enough money stored away and you're not clumsy, a glass bong would be a wise investment.