Ultimate Satisfier

June 24th, 2010

I continue my quest for the perfect dual stimulator and a toy with the word “Ultimate” in its name ought to be pretty close, don’t you think? The Ultimate Satisfier adds a handle to the mix, something that many other vibrators lack. There is an extremely similar toy by PHS International with the exact same clitoral stimulator and handle. However, the insertable portion is a copy of the shaft of the Fun Factory Curve. I enjoyed the Curve and wasn’t so sure the ridges on the Ultimate Satisfier would be as pleasurable because of my recent experience with some ridges.

I’ve reviewed many similar sex toys so I thought I’d sum it up a little quicker than usual.

The Pros:

  • This toy is probably the best fit I’ve found for my anatomy, yet. The curve between the internal and external portions nearly hugs my pubic bone. It’s almost perfectly curved/angled.
  • The clitoral stimulator is 1.5″ in length, long enough to actually reach my clit.
  • The ridges on the shaft give the impression of some girth while the diameter is only 1.19″.
  • It’s made of hygienic, non-porous silicone (I flame tested) and the insertable portion is firm enough for consistent G-spot stimulation and possibly some thrusting.
  • The handle is more maneuverable than it appears.
  • The push-button, super long bullet vibrator has multiple speeds and relies on a standard AAA battery rather than watch batteries. You can actually feel the difference between the levels, too.
  • The toy is waterproof and the bullet has a prominent O-ring next to the battery cap.
  • It costs less than $25.

But there’s a few cons, too:

  • I couldn’t necessarily feel the ridges on the insertable portion.
  • The clitoral stimulator is thinner and more flexible to me the pressure I like.
  • The handle, while useful for G-spot stimulation, didn’t work quite so well for clitoral stimulation.
  • The vibrations are hard to feel externally because 1 AAA battery just does not provide a lot of power. The vibrations are also quite buzzy, rather than deep.
  • The shaft does not have much of a curve so I imagine it just won’t reach all G-spots.
  • Because the long bullet extends into the internal shaft, you can’t bend it to reach any particular spot. This was actually a little uncomfortable/painful on some occasions.
  • The silicone is the shiny/sticky sort. Water-based lube is probably a “must” for many people.
  • There is a visible and tangible-to-the-finger seam that runs around the entire toy.

Everything else:

Because this vibrator “fits” so well, it has the potential to be a hands-fee toy. Of course, your range of motion and use will be limited with the handle sticking out. It’s versatile enough to use for vaginal/perineum stimulation and can be inserted anally as well, because the shape will prevent it from getting lost.

While the Ultimate Satisfier is really close to what I need, it’s not quite the ultimate toy to satisfy me. The composition of silicone is kind of.. strange. I don’t think I’ve used any other toy with this shiny and dense silicone. It doesn’t feel as nice as velvety silicone that I’m used to.

It worked well enough internally but the clitoral stimulator just didn’t have enough pressure for it to be a true dual stimulator. I already own several toys that are just as, if not more, successful at making me squirt but that doesn’t mean the Ultimate Satisfier won’t work well for someone who has a more sensitive clit.

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Categories: Reviews, Vibrators

Nexus G-Play Trio

June 20th, 2010

The G-Play set from Nexus is a great combination of silicone P- or G-spot stimulators. Ranging in size, these silicone vibrators are suitable for anal beginners as well as more experience aficionados. Like most Nexus products, the G-play set can also be used vaginally.

This isn’t my first experience with a Nexus product. There was Chloe, which bombed horribly, and the G-Rider, a similarly crafted vibrator. I wasn’t in love with that piece because I was looking for a vaginal/G-spot toy and it may have been a better anal fit. My expectations with the G-play trio were a bit more on target.

The first thing I noticed about this set is the little “touch me” circle of silicone on the box. I’ve seen that on a lot of cyberskin pussies and similar toys but never for silicone. It’s a great idea and really makes me impress with the amount of detail Nexus puts into their toys.

The 3 pieces in the set are obviously graduated in size. The smallest vibrator (light purple), which is only available in this set, is only a little larger than a pinky finger at 2.72″ long and .23″ wide. It’s unassuming, even if you’re a nervous beginner. I’m not exactly a beginner but my forays into anal play have been few and far between these recent years.

The medium sized (red) piece is about twice the size at 3.32″ in length and a diameter of .43″. The large piece tops off the set with a length of 3.64″ and a diameter of .51″. Note that these pieces are more ovular than they are round so while the largest vibe may look as “wide” as a penis, it’s not as girthy as one.

Each of these vibrstors is powered by a single battery–which Nexus includes. G-play small requires one AAAA while the medium and large use AAAs. Don’t expect too much from the vibrations, however. The small and medium G-plays are single speed, continuous vibrations of the buzzy sort while the large has 5 settings. The vibrators are easy enough to work, with a single push button. It’s mostly flush with the base, though, so it could become a little hard to find with lube in the picture.

And you should probably use a quality water-based lube because the anus is not self-lubricating. The velvety silicone doesn’t offer an extreme amount of drag but it’s not quite as slick as smooth plastic, either. Nexus designed the G-Play trio with a flat, narrow base. It’s not like most anal plugs that flare out, but the base is larger than the insertable portion, making them safe for anal play.

I appreciate that the bases tend to be long but narrow. I’ve had issues with plugs and large bases because the base struggles to be in the same place that the rest of my ass is in.

When inserting any of the G-play vibes, you may not be able to go directly in because the shaft doesn’t follow a straight path like your typical plug. In addition to this, I know some females prefer to point angled head on anal toys toward the back, instead of the front, for comfort reasons. Guys, of course, can take advantage of this for P-spot stimulation.

I had my husband insert the smaller G-Play because, and I’ll be honest here, my GI tract sucks. It went in easily enough, despite the rigidity and curved head; it also came out quite easily with the long, narrow base and didn’t leave any discomfort. Use was easy–he just pressed a button. Still, it wasn’t ideal. The shaft isn’t much wider than the neck so the small G-play kept wanting to slip out. During vaginal intercourse, he had to hold it in to keep it in place. While I suspect this would be less of an issue with the larger vibes, the shapes are very similar and proportionate. Don’t expect any G-play to stay in while doing jumping jacks.

Also, the vibrations weren’t impressive. When he was thrusting, I couldn’t feel them at all. I wasn’t sure what to expect from my first vibrating anal toy and I’m still not sure if I like anal vibrations but I’m definitely sure AAAA batteries will not cut it!

As I mentioned, these can be used vaginally. I opted to try the middle size and wasn’t overly impressed. The shaft manager to find my shallow G-spot but the rigid, hooked head was busy poking other parts of my vagina. It’s shape isn’t really friendly toward my anatomy and I didn’t try the large G-Play because I know it will only be pokier.

I discovered something interesting about this set, as well. The vibration portion is actually a thin, plastic shaft that connects to a wider base. The silicone sleeves on each G-Play can be pulled off of these bases and bleached or boiled to sanitize and wipe down the plastic with alcohol as well. This is kinda of cool because, while the G-Rider is silicone, I don’t feel like it’s as safe to share as this set is.

I’m a tired girl so I’ll end this hear. If I forget anything, leave me a comment and I’ll reply as soon as possible!

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Categories: Reviews, Vibrators

Adam and Eve

Lelo Mona

June 5th, 2010

In the past six months or so, I have increased my selection of Lelo toys fivefold. Previously, I’ve reviewed the Luna Beads and Lily, both of which left a little something to be desired so while I was excited when Lelo released Ina and Mona, I wasn’t sure if the toys would work well for me personally. I actually wound up purchasing Ina a while back and have played with her to limited success. I was a little disappointed and thought perhaps Mona would have been a better fit for me and AdultSextoys was kind enough to provide me with Mona (and right before my birthday, too!).

Ina and Mona are very similar, if you’re comparing. Essentially, Ina has a small clitoral stimulator while Mona is just an insertable shaft. Mona has an angled head for G-spot stimulation and it’s slightly bulbous but unique from most other G-spot vibes. It’s not exactly spherical nor is it ovular; at some angles Mona almost looks like a golf club (but which one? I don’t know. I don’t play).

Mona’s handle is slick white plastic while the insertable portion is velvety silicone. Mine is a gorgeous red (orange-based, not purple) but you can also get Mona in grape purple. The silicone is rigid, without any give. The shaft isn’t large and only has a diameter of 1.43″ but I find that it tapers a bit suddenly and, because of this, might not be a great beginner’s toy.

Mona offers about 5″ for insertion with another 3.5″ for the handle. The lines are sleek, making this vibrator look quite modern and attractive. The length was more than sufficient for finding my G-spot and I think most women would be satisfied with the design of Mona.

Mona’s vibrations are fairly strong but a little buzzier than I like. Mona feels drastically weaker than Ina because it only vibrates in one place. I was actually a bit shocked and at the difference in performance. I don’t think that Ina’s shaft is any stronger, it just seems that way when both motors are on. Regardless, Mona offers consistent pressure for G-spot stimulation and is easy to wield (she’s quite light!) if you’re into thrusting.

Mona has a lot of vibration variety, if you’re into that, but they feel a little lame after experiencing Ina. There’s 8 or so settings of steady vibration, slow pulsation, fast pulsation, escalation, up-and down escalation, and a mode of mixed pulsation and escalation. Everything is controlled with 4 buttons. Arrows page backward or forward through the modes while you can adjust strength with plus and minus buttons. You can lock Mona, when not in use, by pressing the plus and minus button simultaneous. I cannot specifically remember if Mona’s instructions were unclear on this point, but I know Ina’s manual did not properly describe how to do this.

I found myself having to press button multiples times with both Mona and Ina. I know others have complained of the same issue. My understanding is that some users could too easily press the buttons on older Lelo designs. It seems a bit like a Goldilocks thing. Too easy, too hard. Give us “just right.”

Mona is rechargeable and comes with an AC adapter. Initially, you must charge the vibrator. The manual explains that Mona’s light will blink when charging and remain lit when charging is complete. Lelo also says charging takes about 2 hours. Lelo claims up to 4 hours of use for every charge but I don’t buy that. Both Mona and Ina seem to die pretty quickly (about an hour, I’d say), especially when using the pulsation settings. There is a noticeable decrease in power when this happens.

If you’ve used other Lelo toys or vibrators with digital motors, then you may be familiar with the high-pitched whine that sometimes occurs. I noticed this only on the last setting of Mona.

Mona comes with a satin bag, typical of Lelo toys. *It also comes in a differently style of packaging. Mona itself is in a plastic and cardboard hanging display. I like the presentation of this but it’s not really practical for consumers; it’s better for stores that wish to display Mona. Ina had a similar package and my experience with them is different. Ina was a bitch to get out but the glue was practically useless on Mona’s packaging so it slid out effortlessly. Once you toss that, though, you’re left with Lelo’s traditional storage box.

Aside from storage, you’ll want to take care of Mona so this sex toy will last you a lifetime. I recommend only water-based lube (Mona is not very comfortable for me without lube) and taking care of the charging port when washing. Mona does have a little cover over hers and it’s fairly secure so this shouldn’t be too hard. Just make sure it’s not submerged or in the direct stream of water. Mona will pick up a little lint so you may want to use a microfiber towel and toss it in the storage pouch as quickly as possible.

If I had to toss all my G-spot vibrators save for one, I’d probably keep Mona. Even though it hasn’t made me squirt like Ina, I will definitely keep practicing. Mona does seem to be significantly stronger than other Lelo vibes (Lily or Elise, for example), which gives me high hopes in the direction they’re taking.

Sex toys review sponsored by Adult Sex Toys

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Categories: Reviews, Vibrators

Couture Collection™- inspire

May 24th, 2010

Thus far, I’ve tried 4 or 5 different pieces from the Couture Collection by California Exotic Novelties and they have all been pretty weak if not somewhat attractive in design. The Inspire, however, is not pretty weak. Hell, it’s not even “pretty strong.” It is, by far, the strongest toy I own. In fact, it way well be too strong for me.

Inspire is the third wand style massager I own, after the Miracle Massager and Ideal (which I found to be less than). It’s both stronger and smaller than the Miracle Massager, a vibrator I’ve come to enjoy for its broad head and its strong vibrations. The head of the Inspire is much smaller and rounded which means I have to use the toy in a different way despite its overall genre.

Inspire is also kinda weird in that it’s an electric vibe but you can unplug the adapter from the port on the toy. Initially, I thought this meant that it’s rechargeable, but it’s not. Some people like being able to swap power sources or whatever but this is just kind of confusing to me.

Speaking of confusion, so was the control button, initially. There is a single button. One click turns it on. If you want to increase the setting, you have to press and hold it but a quick click turns off the power. I am constantly turning it off when I want more power or the opposite. It’s supposed to be a little intuitive but maybe I’m a little slow.

Anyway, I find myself really only using the lower settings because it’s hard for me to take a lot of power directly and the Inspire’s vibrations are much more pinpoint than those of the Miracle Massager. The spherical head of the Inspire has a diameter of 1.59″, definitely smaller than most wand massagers. It’s shorter, too, about 7.5″ in total length.

Another interesting aspect of the design is that the head of the Inspire massager is covered 2/3 of the way by a silicone cap. The cap offers a bit of give but the head beneath it is hard plastic. You can take this off to clean it and slip it back on when you’re done. The cap will “gap” around the head if it’s not correctly aligned, however. Just turn it until it sits smoothly. It isn’t seamless, though. Like all silicone, be careful with with silicone based lubes and prepare for lint.

The head of the Inspire is on a flexible neck. I suppose there’s a spring beneath the accordion-folded plastic (maybe silicone?) which coats the neck. It offers a nice range of flexibility; however, liquids can easily find themselves between the folds of the material and it seems a bitch to clean.

I mentioned before that I use this a little differently than the Miracle Massager because of size and shape. I find myself focusing on the left leg of my clitoral organ and move it in quick back and forth movements. I’ve done this with other toys, like the Lily, but it’s definitely easier to hold the Inspire because it has a bigger (but not huge) handle. There’s also a slightly curve to it but I’m not sure if I’d really call it ergonomic. It doesn’t seem to help or hinder my use.

I also mentioned used the Inspire on lower settings because the vibrations are so shaky, they’re almost violent on higher settings. Surprisingly, the Inspire isn’t nearly as loud as you might think. The lower settings are quiet enough to use with the door closed, maybe some white noise. You might have to make sure someone in the same house is pretty distracted with the higher settings, though.

I’m lucky enough to have my bed a few feet from the wall so the cord on the Inspire is more than adequate. It’s a bit over 8′ long, actually. The cord is thicker than those of Lelo style chargers. However, not so thick that my cats haven’t tried chewing on it. Yuck. When the Inspire is plugged in, a red light glows on the handle.

Ultimately, the inspire gave me a few good orgasms. The kind that leave you all sweaty yet you still want to get off just one more time. Or maybe that’s just me. But I don’t think it will be my go-to toy because it’s not quite my style.

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Categories: Reviews, Vibrators

Adam and Eve

Bunny Tickler

May 17th, 2010

I was sort of surprised that the Bunny Tickler got me off at all. I mean, it’s so small (about the size of a pocket rocket but thinner). It’s only one speed and I don’t traditionally fair well with toys made of little shapes. When I use regular rabbit vibes, it’s always the body of the rabbit/bullet that I try to get against my clit, instead of the ears. But the Bunny Tickler is cute, like all the bright coloured vibes in the Tickler Line, and I thought it might work for G-spot stimulation cause mine is so shallow and easily stimulated.

Let’s get that out of the way. The ears on the Bunny Tickler can reach my G-spot (they’re about an inch long or so) but do not provide firm enough pressure to do much of anything. However, the silicone of this vibe–which isn’t quite shiny nor velvety–offers some firmness so it doesn’t flutter freely like jelly rabbits. I imagine many people would pick this specific vibe because they want that feature but they would be out of luck.

Still, you can separate the ears enough to surround your clit and this is an interesting sensation. It’s not how I got off, however. I found myself using the top of the bunny’s nose more, because I like broader surfaces. Sometimes the ears simply wound up in the way and, for whatever reason, I had a hard time telling exactly where they were situated, too, but maybe I’m just not super sensitive.

And I did get off, more than once, with the Bunny Tickler, once I found a good spot. I used it in a similar manner to how I used Lelo’s Lily, except the Tickler is easier on my hand because it has a short handle. But I probably wouldn’t reach for the Bunny Tickler over most other toys.

That’s because I have a lot of clitoral vibes which have adjustable settings. The Bunny Tickler, which is powered by 1 N battery (which is included), only has one setting. It’s more high pitched than it is rumbly; although it’s not ridiculously weak. However, it’s extremely easy for the initial tingle of the vibrator to fade, leaving my body wondering “What’s next?”

The Bunny Tickler is easy to use, if not a bit fickler. There’s a single push button on the end. It’s not too hard nor too difficult to push. I have noticed that the battery cap, which screws on, needs to be at exactly the precise position for the Bunny Tickler to work, though. That’s a tad annoying.

But once it’s screwed on, the cap is secure and you can take this rabbit into the shower or tub, with you. I’m not a big bath-time-masturbater but I appreciate toys which are as least splash proof for cleaning. Because the Bunny Tickler is small and, coincidentally, pretty quiet (a light buzz), it might be something you could use in the shower, if you share an apartment. Although, you may not have great luck with water based lube in the shower. I’d also like the add, the specific type of silicone used in the Bunny Tickler doesn’t seem to collect as much lint as usual.

I guess this is a short post for a short toy. d= The Bunny Tickler is cute and functional, although not ground breaking of multi-function. It’s probably good for beginners or those who don’t need something super powerful. Some folks will find it does nothing more than.. tickle.

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Categories: Reviews, Vibrators

Corset Vibe

May 13th, 2010

Like Juliettia, I wanted the Corset Vibrator from Babeland mostly because of looks. I like corsets and I like vibrators and was thrilled when Babeland offered it up for review again (they ran out of stock last time).

But something about the Corset vibe is just a little confusing and I’m not talking about the name change. The package actually calls it the Girdle Vibe and I suspect that makes sense because Touche is a European country. I get that Babeland would change the name because the idea of a girdle is just not sexy to Americans but, no, something else is more confusing.

It started with the batteries. Touche provided 2AAs which is pretty neat. I unscrewed the battery cap at the end and slid them in and then I spent about 5 minutes trying to get the damned cap back on. Now, I’ve talked to someone else who did not have that problem but I actually thought there was some defect issue with the threading on either the cap or the vibe itself. The inside of the cap doesn’t have continuous threading and it can be a bit tricky to get it lined up. However, I have gotten better at it.

So I get the cap on and I am staring at this beast. I mean the Corset Vibe is just much bigger than I expected. I figured the size would be similar to the Evolved Seduction which also has a similar shape but I was wrong. It’s almost 8.5″ long and its girth varies between 4 3/16″ and 5 5/8.” Definitely not something I’d suggest for beginners.

The design itself mimics a corset with the center of the shaft being the narrowest while the vibrator gradually expands toward either end. The insertable end also tapers to a slight point. There’s also a pattern embossed/engraved into the silicone, on the back of the vibrator. It is styled like the ribbons on the back of a corset–hence the name–so the overall design really works well.

The size genuinely surprised me but it wasn’t confusing. It came when I went to turn on the Corset vibe but nothing happened. So I switched batteries. Nothing. I switched back. Eventually I picked up the manual (actually, there are 2 and there are instructions in like a dozen languages) or something and I realized you have to press the button for several seconds before it turns on. It’s not a big deal now that I know it, but it was annoying having to figure it out and I know others had the same problem. I do slightly prefer vibes which turn on faster.

So I got it on but I wasn’t sure if it was working. Yes, my confusion continued. You see, the Corset Vibe didn’t seem to go on to a steady vibration setting like vibrators usually do. I played around with the settings but it seems like Touche really missed the mark. After some experimenting, I have come to realize that the first 3 settings are supposed to be steady vibration but the “low” and “medium” modes are extremely rumbly, almost spastic which makes them seem like they maybe aren’t steady. The highest mode of steady vibration is normal, however. These settings are followed by a pulsation and escalation setting (1 each).

The whole rumbly vibration thing makes it a little hard to gauge the strength of the Corset Vibe. The first 2 settings feel pretty strong but almost like they’re not performing how they should be. In comparison, the highest steady setting is a bit weak and I didn’t particularly care for the escalation mode.

The noise output from the Corset Vibe is a bit much. It’s not going to wake the neighbours or anything but I think similar vibes are a bit quieter. The Corset Vibe is getting up there a bit, like some rabbit vibes

So once my confusion was cleared up, I spent a bit of time with the Corset Vibe but I wasn’t blown away. The tapered head felt a bit pointy and although you can bend the shaft a bit, the shape didn’t do a whole lot for me. While the vibrations are centered right in the head, the Corset Vibe is long enough that it wants to slide right past my G-spot.

While I could feel the texture provided by the corset detailing; I didn’t like it or not like it. I suppose if you use a bit more lube (water-based, only) than usual, you can minimize this effect a bit. Be prepared to spend extra time cleaning up any lubes or liquids, however. The ribbon design provides a ton of nooks and crannies for gunk.

But it is pretty. If you’re a collector, the corset vibe will surely look pretty on a shelf or in your hand. It’s just a bit more novel than practical and I’m not sure that this is enough of a reason for me to have to struggle with all the quirks.

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Categories: Reviews, Vibrators

The Sasi at Babeland

Aurora Vibratror in Wine

May 8th, 2010

I like attractive looking toys. I like rechargeable toys. I like high tech toys and the Aurora vibrator definitely seems to be all of those. I couldn’t help but notice this sex toy with its sleek lines and flashing lights.

Let’s get down to it, shall we?

Aurora is a straight shafted vibrator with an interesting shape. It’s not cylindrical like many insertables. Rather, it has 3 edges running the length of the shaft making it something like a prism. The edges tape to a very gentle point at the end, whereas the prismatic shape continues at the base as well. Aurora’s shaft is made of silicone. It feels velvety but is quite rigid for most the shaft (except for the very tip). This, in combination with the 3 edges simply makes Aurora painful.

Every time I insert Aurora, I have to turn it so it doesn’t feel like it’s cutting through my flesh. That’s not an exaggeration at all. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, either, cause the buttons are downward facing in use. So, if I turn them they’re more upward facing and thus more accessible. It’s still annoying to have a vibrator hurt, however.

The buttons themselves are also very interesting. Aurora has a total of 3 buttons–two opposite facing arrows and a square button in between. The middle button serves as the power button which first turns on continuous vibrations. You can control the intensity with the arrow buttons. Strangely enough, the power button also switches modes. I didn’t realize this as first because it’s just odd but when you want to turn off Aurora, you simply press and hold this button.

The vibrations themselves may not be satisfying to all. Some modes seem to be a lot deeper while others are ticklingly, high pitched. Like the order of the modes, there seems to be no rhyme nor reason for this but I do prefer my vibrations deeper.

There are 10 total vibration modes; at least, the product description says that but it’s really hard to tell. Even though each mode is represented by a different colour LED light at the base, I can’t tell what the order is. I have to press the square button a random amount of times (it has taken more than 2 dozen clicks to do this) to finally get back to the steady setting which is a real bummer if you accidentally change settings. It’s ridiculous that it’s easier and quicker to turn off the toy to get back to the setting you want.

Assuming you find the mode you want, you can increase the intensity which I do like. There seem to be about 4 or 5 intensities for both continuous vibration and the pulsation modes. Because there are 9 pulsation modes, I’m not going to name them all. Suffice it to say that they all blend together after a while. The light indicators would be more useful if I could figure out the order of the modes and, also, if the toy curved upward. I just don’t use toys in a way that typically allows me to see the lights and, because of the painful edges, I usually have them turned away from me, anyway.

The lights are more helpful during charging, however. They indicate charging status. I believe the lights change colour when charging but the Aurora glows a steady blue when fully charged. The manual instructs that about 2.5 hours are needed to fully charge to provide an equivalent amount of use. It’s quite neat to look at against the black or dark red (wine) plastic of the base (this plastic also has tiny sparkles you can see) but I feel as though this feature is almost gratuitous, wasteful.

The base itself is pretty but gratuitous. The shape is all contemporary but does not allow Aurora to sit on a flat surface like a table which is something I like to see. Of course, it does stand upright in its base/charging dock. The dock itself is light and cheap feeling. Maybe that’s just par for the course with charging docks, though. There is no other storage option included with Aurora. It seems as though the height of vibrator and charger might make it a bit more.. wobbly.

The vibrator itself is already quite tall at 9″, 6.5″ of which are insertable. It feels like much more to me. The awkward shape of the shaft negates my typical view of girth, too. Aurora is “only” 1.47″ in diameter at its widest but the angles are still (painfully) felt. Definitely wouldn’t recommend this one to newcomers (if I were recommending it at all!). Plus, it doesn’t taper very much.

Either way, the shape is a bit boring. Carnivalesque reviewed Aurora and suggested a G-spot curve would be more pleasurable. I have to agree. This vibrator just doesn’t hit the right spots for me.

On an ending note, Aurora has two seams running up the shaft. One of then follows one of the edges while the other is in the middle of a flat part. They’re easy to see and feel with a finger. I didn’t especially notice them during use but it’s annoying.

And when it comes to noise, Aurora is fairly quiet. Not silent but quiet enough to use with the door closed and perhaps some white noise.

I would recommend soap and water for washing but the manual doesn’t specify any care instructions except to “let dry in a shady area.” I certainly wouldn’t submerge this vibrator, either.

Aurora is another one of those toys that seems to be created by a graphic designer with no idea what makes a toy functional. It’s definitely frustrating for the user.

Sex toys review sponsored by Adult Sex Toys

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Categories: Reviews, Vibrators

G-Swirl Vibe

May 1st, 2010

The G-Swirl Vibe is the production of two trusted names in sex toys–Good Vibes and Fun Factory. This result is a toy with all of Fun Factory’s signature elements and Good Vibes branding.

G-Swirl comes in packaging that is Fun Factory style in function (magnetic flaps et al) but the deisgn featured Good Vibrations branding. The branding continues onto the vibrator itself where the Good Vibes logo is embossed onto the silicone (this logo is below the clitoral nubbies, though, not on the useable part).

G-Swirl is a smaller G-spot vibrator with a ring of nubs around the base of the shaft to stimulate the clit and/or perineum. Mine is a very light pink which I don’t love but Good Vibes sells G-Swirl in other colours which are pretty neat; I personally like raspberry.

The silicone shaft is designed with several ridges and ends with an angled head to stimulate the G-spot. The shaft can be bent any which way and the nubs at the base offer give as well, typical of Fun Factory silicone. The silicone is more the shiny, “grabby” type than some FF toys, however. It definitely picks up lint or cat fur (not like my cats ever poke their noses where they don’t belong) and use of a water-based lube can aid in penetration. As you would expect, G-Swirl has no scent and, when cleaned properly, shouldn’t pick up scents. (If it does, many people swear by Before & After toy cleaner to remedy this issue.)

G-Swirl is a bit thicker than some G-spot vibrators and the texture can be easily felt. My vag tends to be pretty texture-picky but the size and shape of the ridges on this one were pretty enjoyable. The base–which is the widest point–has a diameter of 1.6″. The area just beneath the head (the narrowest part) has a diameter of 1.35″, so you can see the shaft gradually increases.

G-Swirl is mostly straight and offers 4 insertable inches. This might not work for you if you require a longer or curved shaft to reach your G-spot. I found the combination of the small head with its slight angle and softness of the silicone didn’t adequately stimulate my G-spot. I can usually rest a toy against my G-spot and squirt in seconds but I just couldn’t get enough pressure from the G-Swirl.

G-Swirl controlled by Fun Factory’s second generation style flower/star dial (although the internet suggests that a third generation, Smartvibes version also exists). The dial “locks” into place at two settings: Off and High. You can “customize” your experience by using any setting in between. The G-Swirl is fairly powerful on its highest setting, pretty standard for a toy powered by 2AAs. The highest setting is also quite deep, not surface level at all. The shaft carries these vibrations quite well but the denser nubs around the base don’t really.

Which I don’t really think matters because the nubs only extend out from the base about 3.4″ at the most. Needless to say, they come nowhere close to my clitoris and while the nubs curve upward (or body-ward, you might say), they don’t do so enough to really even stimulate the vaginal entrance.

I did notice that G-Swirl feels stronger in my hands than during use. It could be because the shape isn’t right on my G-spot, however.

Sometimes the G-Swirl seems a little rattly which adds to the noise output. Without the rattle, it’s actually pretty quiet. But it seems like the rattle comes and goes and is definitely more persistent on higher settings.

For those of you familiar with this style of Fun Factory vibes, the battery cap can be a little difficult to wrangle. There are two points which you must squeeze to pop it off the end and it can be a little hard on the fingers.

However, it’s pretty secure and G-Swirl is splashproof which makes cleaning with soap and water (a must for toys which collect lint this easily) a breeze and shower play an option.

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Categories: Reviews, Vibrators

Babeland

Lussuria Rechargeable Vibrator

April 29th, 2010

By now, most of you have heard of the Vida vibrators, a new line of silicone+metal sex toys with fancy designs and an impressive site to boot. They’re working hard at PR, too, with a mysterious Twitter account and appearances with celebrities. They really want you to believe that these vibrators–Lussuria, Vanta, Zara and Urja–are the new “it” thing and, I admit, I was drawn in and in case you are too, here’s the low down.

Vida vibrators are made of silicone and anodized aluminum. The metal part does have a sort of plastic-y look to it, even in person, but a tap with a fingernail proves otherwise. It looks particularly rigid up close. In addition to this, my Vida Lussuria is quite the hefty piece but I wouldn’t call it unwieldy because the weight is compacted into a 7″ frame which isn’t bulky in the least.

Lussuria’s design is one which which curves gently outward from a thin (.79″ diameter), straight shaft in the center to produce two bulbous ends. While the ends are thicker than the center point of the shaft, they are flat-ish. The side on which the control is positioned is significantly wider (just over 2″) than other side, the head (which is about 1.5″ wide). The head itself is somewhat spoon or scoop shaped; one side is convex while the other has a little “dimple.” The head angles slightly upward from the thinner part of the shaft while the base curves slightly downward for an extremely loose “S” shape.

On the convex side of the head, there are 4 silicone ridges. The ridges are mostly firm but not quite as rigid as the metal parts of the vibrator. These work well for G-spot stimulation while the spoon side can cradle the clitoris. I don’t think I’ve seen any pictures, yet, which depict the dimple on the head so I was pleasantly surprised when I opened Lussuria and wondered whether it would work well for clitoral stimulation.

It does. Lussuria has a functional design which I really like. The ridges easily cause me to squirt and I was surprised at the orgasms produced via the clit dimple. The overall design is easy to manipulate comfortably and with precision, too.

The shaft, head and last inch or so of the base are coated in silicone (the shinier, kinda “grabby” style) while the anodized aluminum surrounds the single button. There is also a pink stripe/lighted area which follows the contours of the metal. This area has a lot of edges and seams which are not very smooth and neat. I can see it collecting debris and the imperfections reduce the impression of quality IMO. There are especially some imperfections in the pink border which detract from an otherwise awesome colour scheme. At the very end, a small flap is cut out of the silicone; this flap plugs the charging port when Lussuria is not charging. While Lussuria is purportedly waterproof, this flap is not seamless and I would not submerge it.

To turn on the vibrator, simply press the button once. A pale pink light around the button and the pink “border” part both light up. Pressing the button pages through 5 settings of steady vibrations and then back to the lowest. These vibrations are fairly strong but become much too buzzy as you increase strength. The button must be pressed and held to turn off Lussuria but this will also turn it up 1 level higher which is kind of annoying. If, for some reason, I needed to turn it off quickly, it would get louder before turning off.

Even if the vibrations didn’t become buzzier as they increased, I would never use this beyond the second or third setting because Lussuria is damned loud. I guess it’s because of the metal but I think Vida should have come up with some noise solution before releasing these vibrators and calling it “quiet” is simply a lie. The sound does not aid in discretion at all and I am not fond of toys which hurt my ears.

I was a bit disappointed that Lussuria did not come with more information. It comes with a booklet which contains warranty information, instructions and promotional materials. More pages are dedicated to advertising other products than anything else. The instructions do say that the first full charge will take 3 hours and subsequent charges will take 1 hour. I haven’t had to recharge my Lussuria yet, which is awesome, but I have no idea how long it will last and I guess Vida doesn’t want customers to know, either.

Lussuria does come with a few interesting acessories. First and foremost, it has its own storage case which vida describes as a “faux leather vanity tote.” It looks a bit like a small train case with a handle on the top and a zipper around the front and sides. Vida sides into a foam cutout inside an there is room to toss in the charger beneath the foam. If you remove the cutout, you could use the case to store a few more toys, too; it measures 4.5″ x 8.” x 3.” The Vida logo is embossed in black and red on the front but I have to warn you, this “faux leather” stinks! I mean, the smell of it gives me a headache and I don’t want that on my toy.

Luckily, Vida also provides a cushy, store envelope made from microfiber. The design is unique, a rectangular cloth which folds in thirds and ties with a ribbon. Inside is an opening to tuck your Vida vibrator but it’s not actually deep enough to hold Lussuria; it will stick out the end of the envelope. I suspect Vida made a one-size-fits-all storage pouch and failed. You don’t have to place the vibrator in the pouch, of course. You can simply fold it into the cloth and tie it up; it just fits.

The whole thing comes with a black gift style bag bug mine was just folder, empty with the Vida box. I suspect that would work much better for in person purchases. d=

Lussuria actually worked pretty well for me but Vida needs to work out more kinks before they can call these toys “luxurious” and charge as much as they are for them. The idea of aluminum + silicone is neat but a pure silicone vibrator wouldn’t have been any worse. It also would have reduce the number of seams in the toy and hopefully the volume level. The train case and storage pouch are cute but neither offer the perfect storage option. I say skip the frills and lower the price, then we’ll talk.

Sponsored by Adult Sex Toys

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Categories: Reviews, Vibrators

Zone Bliss Purple

April 10th, 2010

The Zone Bliss is a uniquely designed vibrator which automatically earns brownie points for a couple characteristics:

  • It looks like a rocket ship
  • It can be used hands free
  • The base is made of sturdy plastic while the insertable portion is a removable silicone sleeve
  • It’s surprisingly strong
  • The controls are super easy to use

But it falls short in several key ways:

  • The design blocks access to the clit (when used vaginally) unless it is turned so the buttons are unreachable
  • It’s too short for me to actually kneel over
  • The base is too large for me to sit on
  • The texture does not add stimulation
  • The shape is not ideal for storage

The design, although original, is straight forward. A cone shape points upward, resting upon tripod. As I mentioned, the base itself is plastic and the cone is sheathed in a removable silicone sleeve. This makes cleaning a breeze; you can wipe down the plastic and wash the sleeve with soap and water or clean it with a bleach solution. I was worried about lubes or liquids finding their way beneath the sleeve but, thus far, it has not been a problem. It’s perfectly ‘sealed.’

However, this toy is far from problematic. From initial insertion, I struggled to find any position in which I could use the Zone Bliss comfortably. I tried kneeling and sitting to no avail. I could not kneel low enough for even half insertion and the hard plastic of the base pushed uncomfortable when I tried to sit. Some bodies might work better for this and then, conceivably, the Zone Bliss could rest on an even surface (the legs all have little rubber feet on them which also dampens the noise of it vibrating against the surface). I bet this would work better in a kneeling position, over a firm-ish pillow (perhaps one of the Liberator shapes).

I could use it a little more successfully on my back, with legs up. I was also able to achieve full insertion with this method but even with the Zone Bliss fully inserted, I experienced more issues.

The two buttons to control this vibrator are on one of the legs. To reach the buttons, I situate this leg so it’s in front of me but then it blocks access to my clit and the side legs fight for position where my thighs are. So I can can rotate the toy so that no legs are directly in front of me but then the buttons are not really accessible. It seems to me that it would make more sense to put the buttons on the bottom.

Other than that, the soft plastic buttons are decently sized and easy to find because they’re thick. One turns the toy on and cycles upward while the other turns it off. That’s all it does: turns it off. I wish this button cycled downward, too. There are three speeds of steady vibration which are a little buzzier than I’d like but surprisingly strong. Then again, it better be for a power source of 3 AAs. In fact, I think I’d like to see more vibrators require the extra battery. Then there are multiple pulsation modes:

  • Short-short-long pulse
  • short repeating pulses
  • This short escalating pulse thing
  • Escalation

After escalation, the steady vibration continues again instead of the toy shutting off. It’s kind of confusing. As you can guess, this toy is not the quietest I have ever owned. Most of the base seems to be hollow plastic so the vibrations sort of reverberate through it. It’s quieter than it would be, when resting on a hard surface, because of the rubber feet but this one just might be heard through a closed door.

If I were able to find a comfortable position, I might like the way the Zone Bliss feels inserted. I could not detect the embossed “chevron” shapes but the short, squat shaft was appropriate filling for me without being horrendously long. It stimulated my G-spot but it short enough – 3.5″ – and lacks the curve that many women need for G-spot stim. Even if it weren’t a bit of a hassle, I could not recommend this toy to newbies or women who like their toys smaller. At the base, the shaft has a diameter of 2″. It does taper slightly toward the tip but much of the shaft remains around 1.5″ in diameter.

In case you were wondering, this vibe is not meant to be submerged. The battery pack clicks in and out like most remotes so it’s definitely not waterproof.

The Zone Bliss has a lot of depth, too, which means it cannot be stored just anywhere. In a drawer, on a shelf or in a deep box are your best bets. I would not store it in any sort of bag. The Zone Bliss also arrives in a rather large, cylindrical plastic container which is not practical at all for storage, unless you collect unique looking “hat boxes.”

The Zone Bliss is really the sort of toy which is best for people who like to have novelty toys but don’t necessarily mind if those toys are not all that practical.

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2 Comments

Categories: Reviews, Vibrators

Babeland
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