While bongs actually have a higher tar-to-THC ratio in the hits, they filter out some of the nasty gases, and the cooler smoke allows you to take bigger hits.

All in all, they get me higher, and make smoking a more pleasurable experience.

Finally, the best things about bongs is that you never get a mouthful of ash after snapping the bowl. There's nothing worse than taking huge hits of tasty chron, only to be eating carbon the next second.