Venus Penis

May 16th, 2009

Venus Penis
N/A from

This is an archived review of a discontinued product. You can buy this similar product, but I’m not sure why you’d want to.

Dear California Exotic Novelties,

Size matters. I’m not sure if you missed the memo or if you’re so sure of yourself that you think the rules don’t apply to you but they do. Let me repeat it: size matters. No, it’s not the only thing that matters. So do quality, forethought, creativity and function, all of which you utterly failed to bring to the table when you decided to make yet another pitiful “hands free” vibrator: the Venus Penis. I know that out of the hundreds or thousands of sex toys you will make, some of them are destined to succeed but is that good enough reason for the rest of them to be so horrid? In short, California Exotic, your toy sucks. You suck.

For starters – and let’s kick it off with the big one – I only chose the Venus Penis after having such a disappointing time with my first (and last, until now) strap on vibrator because it has a penis. At least, I thought it did. Your pictures and packaging make it seem mysteriously larger than it actually is. It almost looks like a nice, meaty cock will well defined head. What it actually is, is a finger which has mutated with the head of a cock. It might be a meaty finger, but it’s not much when it comes to insertion. If any of you have vaginas, stick your thumb in it. Wow! See what that does?

Absolutely nothing!

On the topic of size, I have a bone to pick with toy manufacturers who assume that the vagina, clit and anus are all within some 3″ diameter. They’re not. Really. Add an inch or 2 or, hell, even 4 for good measure and then the “erotic clitoral” stimulator and “superior anal” stimulator might reach their target. I mean, come on, can you really call something that doesn’t touch anything superior? I think not.

On a semi-related note, I guess you don’t like fleshy girls. My mons and labia are pretty prominent, which means if I even want clit stimulation, I have to push my lips aside and hold the toy against me. So much for hands-free, huh? Really, all you need to do is make the clit stimulator longer and soft enough so I can adjust it to where I need it.

And while we’re on the subject of inferiority (we are, aren’t we?), let’s talk about the material. Jelly? Really? It smells out of the box and, you’re lucky, because many folks won’t even touch the stuff anymore, but I’m not so picky. And, I’m not sure how you did it, but the jelly is actually rather stiff. The wings kept poking my poor thighs uncomfortably. What gives? (Haha! Nothing, because if the toy had give, it wouldn’t hurt). And the straps? Cheap elastic, which, while soft and shouldn’t hurt, began to chafe after a while.

So where were we? Creativity? Check – I mean, not really. I liked the idea of overall external stimulation combined with internal vibration so I think you tried to do something a little more original, here, but failed. That’s because you lack my next point:  forethought. I probably think more than most people and it doesn’t always do me any good but your lack of thought, period, does me no good. I mean why put the penis in the middle of the butterfly’s tummy when the toy is designed to sit forward, not really under you? This means the already-crappy penis is inserted at an awkward, yes even painful, angle. Maybe that’s why you made it so short? You knew we’d be feeling it but did you count on us saying “Ouch!”?

It also doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the thigh and waist strap set up just doesn’t work. The entire time I had this thing on (although I must commend you for making this wearable by a large variety of sizes), the toy pulled up and to the front instead of where I wanted it to sit, y’know, against my clit! I think that straps which mimic the shape of a bikini or even like a G-string would make more sense. Plus, the placement made sitting uncomfortable. I’m pretty sure the position the woman is, on the package, is the only feasible position and, even doing that, the anal stimulator kept stabbing at my perineum.

Furthermore, when is someone going to make detachable straps so we can toss them in the washer? Oh, wait, the customer would never know how to put them back on and it’s not our fault. It’s because the setup is ridiculously complicated (remember when I suggested you mimic a well-known set up like panties? That might come in handy, now). I mean, if we could take off the straps without fearing we’d never get them back on correctly, we might use the toy a lot more because cleaning would be so much easier.

Well, maybe. Except for the part where a wire comes out of the toy through a hole in the belly, near the front. I understand it needs to connect to the control pack somehow (standard, CE dial-style controls), but not only does it make cleaning harder than it should be (and you can certainly rule out waterproof capabilities) but it’s kind of weird for the wire to come out from between my lips.

What we’re left with here is function. I would expect strong vibes from a toy powered by 2AA batteries. This wasn’t really the case. However, I did find that I was left with a pleasant tingle and, with a lot of holding the toy and grinding against it, I did get off. Still, I have toys that can do this better, easier, and faster, like my Laya Spot, and if that was all I wanted from this toy, I wouldn’t have purchased it. I got absolutely nothing from the penis on this toy at best, when it wasn’t being painfully mediocre, literally.

You might be wondering now if there was anything I did like. Yes, I liked the colour of this. It’s a neat dark fuchsia. It’s just too bad the shape of the toy isn’t aesthetically appealing; otherwise, I might just consider not throwing it away.

Also, the awkward pose of the “model” on the packaging makes me smile. I mean, who wouldn’t? The fake breast groping and the forced smile are just so strange. I can’t help but laugh. Thanks for that, California Exotic Novelties, and not much else.

Sincerely,

Me

21 Comments

Categories: Reviews, Vibrators

Trojan Vibrating Touch Fingertip Massager

May 7th, 2009

Trojan vibrating touch finger vibe
$11.75 from Amazon

I have now used vibrating products from both the big names in condoms – Trojan and Durex – and while these products seem to be great for beginners, those companies will need to try harder if they want to make the giants like California Exotic run for their money.

For starters, Trojan needs to work on the commercial for its new finger vibe. If you ever tune into Oxygen late at night, then you’ve probably seen the two young women giggling about that new toy from Trojan and whispering to each other what it does. Even though the commercial wants us to believe that it’s okay to be curious about these things (after all, the older woman behind them has one, too!), we can only talk about them while laughing nervously. It seems to me, the commercial would be more effective if the women were talking calmly and collectedly about this product. Really, that’s neither here or there, but part of my motivation for trying out this finger vibe was because I hate the commercial so damned much. LOL

So once you get past the nervousness and purchase this toy, you’ll be staring at a purple box exactly like Trojan’s Her Pleasure line of condoms because the Vibrating Touch is part of it. When I opened my mail, I was actually confused as to why I was receiving condoms before I saw “Vibrating Touch.” I wouldn’t have minded if Trojan made the package a little classier (like Durex does with its Play toys) but am willing to look past this. Like most condom companies, Trojan provided a condom with their toy (Her Pleasure), and while I don’t need it, I could always use it with a questionable toy.

The finger vibe itself is in a plastic/foil bag. Inside the package is also a small velvet, drawstring pouch for storage. This looks exactly like small jewelry pouches, so if someone ever finds your Vibrating Touch finger vibe while it’s in the bag, they probably won’t think twice. Keeping it on or in your nightstand or dresser would seem completely normal, and it wouldn’t be out of place in your purse or even carry-on luggage if you’re traveling. I have noticed that the drawstrings are rather long and my cats like to play with them, dragging the pouch all over my house because it’s so small.

The finger vibe itself is a squishy, purple sleeve with a loop to slip on your finger and a removable, 1-speed mini-bullet. The material of the sleeve, which the packaging does not name (but there was no rubber smell) is really soft and has little ridges along the shaft and whorls, like a fingerprint, on the tip. While these are really fun to feel against my fingers, my clit didn’t detect the ridges and whorls so easily but I think the texture was better than a smooth sleeve. The stretchy loop on top of the finger vibe fit comfortably around my finger, but I found that, during use, the position shifted up and down, just as the toy seemed to slip left to right, and sometimes it wasn’t much better than using a finger to rub myself. I think this is because I use so much pressure.

And the reason I use so much pressure is because the bullet isn’t all that strong. It’s not bad for its size, but it’s definitely more of a gentle touch. I think this would be great for beginners, but I’ve used some strong vibrators and really need something more now. Unlike similar toys, this bullet here is reusable, so you don’t have to throw it away after 30 minutes of use; however, you will need to change the batteries after 30 minutes. Unfortunately, it is powered by 2 tiny battery sizes, which I have never before encountered, called LR41. I accidentally dropped one when opening the bullet, and these could easily be lost, so be careful when switching batteries.

As I mentioned, the bullet is removable, which means you can use the sleeve on your finger alone if you want a really light touch. You could possibly fit a similar-sized bullet in the sleeve, but it is rather small. Or, if you just wanted to use the bullet alone, there is that option. For thorough cleaning, I like this because the bullet is not waterproof; however, it looks waterproof, and I washed the whole thing without problems. It’s also extremely easy to remove and replace the bullet.

The on/off button on the bullet is easy to push with my thumb while on my finger. I actually preferred wearing the fingertip massager on my middle finger because it’s longer. My fingers are rather short so the massager sometimes felt a little unwieldy but not horribly so.

Because this toy is so small, you could use it almost anywhere and you can easily toss it in your purse or luggage for travel. I personally used it for a little afternoon stroll through the land of cybersex but I ultimately prefer my Laya Spot for this.

My final thoughts on this sex toy are that it’s cute and versatile, but its gentle vibrations are better for someone who is either less experienced or prefers their vibration to be really light and it’s extremely quiet.

And after 15 years? I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone who has other options available, especially because it doesn’t feel like it will stand the test of time. Fortunately, the local pharmacy and big-big stores offer that convenience by carrying products by PlusOne! It’s wild to me that this toy is still available. I feel so strongly that you can spend a little more that I almost don’t want to include a link in this review. But here. Here is it. Do yourself a favor and don’t click it.

2 Comments

Categories: Reviews, Vibrators

lingerie

Pleasure Tops

May 3rd, 2009

Pleasure Tops
N/A from

This is an archived review of a discontinued toy.

Most of the time, when I am not completely satisfied with a new sex toy, I develop a grudge against it, and it becomes extremely difficult to see the strengths of the toy. This really isn’t the case with the Pleasure Tops vibrator. In fact, I just can’t help but focus on how close this was to being my perfect toy. It does make the disappointment harder to swallow, though.

When Doc Johnson designed the Pleasure Tops vibe, they went out on a limb. It certainly is a unique toy with its cone-shaped base and thumb-like protrusion. It’s also fairly small. I thought it seemed tiny compared to the size I thought it would be; I know there is always some reconciliation between expectations and the reality of sex toy size, but I had never overestimated size so badly. The Pleasure Tops toy sits in the palm of my hand and is less than 5″ tall overall. The girth at the base is a whipping 7.85″, but only a portion of that is actually insertable.

Even though the size was not what I was expecting, this is not altogether a fault. I enjoyed the size and uniqueness of the cone. Insertion of the TPR-covered toy (I chose the blue over the pink that reminded me too much of bubblegum) was a breeze with just a dab or water or silicone-based lube. Once inserted, I couldn’t really feel the bullet in the tip of the cone because it didn’t really touch anything. Rather than improving upon the size and strength of the bullet or the shape of the toy, I think the cone simply does not need to vibrate. I enjoy cumming around items (like a vibe, dildo, or cock) and have often wished for a sort of vaginal plug, which the Pleasure Tops does nicely. Because the external portion of the vibrator is the largest part, I could easily feel it at the entrance to my pussy but it wasn’t so long or large (only 2.5″ long and 5.25″ around at the widest insertable point) that the inserted portion was uncomfortable, which I sometimes experience with longer toys.

On the other hand, I thought the clit stimulator could use a little more in every sense. This thumb-shaped stimulator is made of the same soft TPR (the material does pick up lint, so beware), which covers a second mini-bullet. Even at the highest setting, this was nothing more than an exciting tingle. A larger bullet is absolutely necessary. This would improve both the strength of the vibrations and the size of the clitoral stimulator, which, I thought, was both too short and too thin. While I could easily manipulate the clit stimulator into place, it didn’t like to stay in place over my clit and would slip down or to either side. I especially wished for a wider clit stimulator.

I tried out the Pleasure Tops both lying and sitting up because it seems like it would be a good toy for use while sitting. Use while lying was similar to using any other dual stimulator toy, but I had a bit more trouble sitting. Because an inch or so of the cone protrudes, I could not sit with the cone flat beneath me but I could sort of squat over a chair, using the arms to support myself. However, I was able to sit more or less normally, with the cone tilted so the back edge rested on the seat of the chair. This was actually fairly comfortable and also provided for hands-free stimulation, but it didn’t bring me to orgasm.

Ultimately, I don’t think this is a toy that can do it for me. It was an exciting tingle, and I liked the overall fit but a stronger and larger clit stimulator would have really pushed me over the edge. As I am prone to say, I enjoyed the way the toy hugged my pubic bone. Had I been able to achieve orgasm, I think it would have felt great.

For those who only need a lighter touch or want a toy for warmup, then Pleasure Tops might do the trick but I kept the vibration on high the whole time, and it still wasn’t enough. For the strength of the vibration, I found the amount of sound to be acceptable. It is noticeably louder on the higher settings, but once pressed against flesh, the sound is muffled. For 2 AAA batteries, the amount of power is reasonable but I would consider a power supply of at least 2AA batteries, if not more.

I would also change the entire control system. I might have tried to work myself up to the highest system is it was not such a hassle to adjust. To insert batteries, the end base, made of ABS plastic, unscrews. Battery insertion is easy and you screw the base back on. However, the base does not like to be screwed on snugly otherwise the vibrations do not work. There needs to be a thin area of space between the base and the rest of the toy itself. I could easily slip a piece of paper folded 4 times between this space. Not only is this annoying, but it made me wonder how waterproof this toy really is. I ran the toy under running water and patted down the outside before checking inside. There was water between the 2 parts of the Pleasure Tops but not in the battery area itself, so I would trust it to hold up in the shower but maybe not completely submerged.

I wish the touchiness of screwing on the lid were the only problem I had. Unfortunately, the controls just suck. The base is also something of a giant dial. Because of this, turning too far toward the “Low/Off” side can cause the base to unscrew and turning too far in the “High” direction causes it to tighten to the point where vibration stops. The only way to ensure that neither happens is to use both hands, which is really a hassle because you pretty much have to remove the toy to adjust the settings. Dial controls should not be so difficult. I would much prefer a corded hand-held control with buttons and specific settings but I’m not a big fan of dial controls, period. Perhaps making this change would also make the Pleasure Tops usable during sitting.

Were the size and strength of the vibrations the only complaints I had with the Pleasure Tops, I would still use it because the shape is really what I have been wanting for a long time. However, the problematic base/controls really seem to thwart any efforts on my part to make the best out of Doc Johnson’s Pleasure Tops. Because this is so close to my perfect toy, I would plead with Doc Johnson or anyone else to take my suggestions into consideration. You have no idea how happy and sated that would make me!

10 Comments

Categories: Reviews, Vibrators

Decadent Indulgence

April 30th, 2009

Decadent Indulgence
N/A from

This is an archived review of a discontinued toy

Years ago, before we were concerned with environmentally friendly or safe materials in our sex toys, we focused on function alone. The toys which were best loved, like the Decadent Indulgence, came with a high price because they performed so admirably and, even though it may now be considered inferior by some, there were hordes of women who were singing their praise for this rabbit vibrator. Despite the fact that I have tried more than my share of rabbit vibrators, and I usually find a fault, I knew it was my responsibility as a reviewer to try out one of the Decadent Indulgence vibrators. I went with the original because it’s the original for a reason, right?

Back in my early days of sex toy exploration, people raved about the Decadent Indulgence. I never once read a bad review. Women wanted to marry it, despite the fact that it cost over $200. Today, this rabbit vibe costs only a fraction of the price at just under $100. Some wonder if a toy that is made of only TPR is really worth the price, but I have to tell you, it’s not the material that will blow you away! Powered by 4 AA batteries, the original Decadent Indulgence is pretty much a powerhouse of vibration and rotation.

Let me back up a bit. This pink rabbit vibrator by California Exotic, as mentioned, is made of TPR over a rotation shaft and beads, as well as a bullet in the hummingbird-shaped clitoral attachment. The box claims TPR is “hygenically superior” but not only is it spelled wrong, it’s just wrong. Pure silicone or even a silicone composite would be better if hygiene is your concern. Also, considering the stiffness of this material, it wouldn’t make much difference if it were upgraded to silicone. In fact, that is my one major complaint about the Decadent Indulgence. The wings and beak on the hummingbird are cute and vibrate loosely when the clitoral stimulator is on, but they’re rather thin, pointy and sharp. It’s not something that bothers my hands, but I found using the clitoral stimulator to actually be painful unless I was firmly pushing the bullet against my clit so that those appendages were more stationary instead of vibrating freely against me. Because my use of dual stimulators tends to focus on clitoral pleasure, this is a big issue for me. I really wish there were no protrusions at all, just a TPR-covered bullet.

There are two controls for the functions, one for the vibrating hummingbird and one for the shaft/bead rotation. I always prefer separate controls for shaft rotation and beads, so I would like to see that here. The buttons are not the hard-to-press digital kind; they are easy to find and press which I like. In fact, they might be too easy. I hadn’t realized there were 8 levels for each function because the “ultra sensitive control pads” tend to increase 2 or 3 levels at a time. There is also a button in the center that switches modes from basic vibration and rotation to a slower pulsation and back-and-forth rotation and then a much faster mode. The mode applies to both functions so the rotation and beads occur at the same speed as the pulsation, resulting in a more profound effect than if they operated at separate modes. Overall, the combinations are endless.

I found the vibration to be adequate, but the increases were more of speed than size, as is typical with bullets of that size. What I really liked were the pulsation modes. They were incredibly strong, almost too strong at some points, and not at all like the high-frequency pulsation of other vibes, which left me wanting. Even as I lay thinking about how the beak was painful, the pulsation led me orgasm. It was really the first orgasm I had without even trying, and that was vibration-induced alone, so it was something of a milestone, even if it wasn’t the best I’ve ever had. If that doesn’t say something about the value of this toy, I’m not sure what can.

For once, I quite enjoyed the rotation of the shaft. The 3 tracks of 3 beads each move in the same direction and at the same speed as the shaft and were noticeable, but the overall effect felt like there was only one internal function. The rotation was also rather powerful and stood up to clenching but it was hard to tell if both the shaft and beads stood up to my muscles or if it was just the shaft or beads. Either way, I have had few rabbits that stand up at all to clenching, so it was nice.

One of the things I especially like about rabbit vibes is how they hug my pubic bone, and the Decadent Indulgence did a decent job. The TPR, while pliable was stiffer than some jelly I have experienced, and helped with this. I wouldn’t complain if it was a more snug fit. The bullet seemed to be a little further away from the shaft than in some rabbits I have used, resulting in a clit stimulator which is a bit too flexible. I found that in order to place the bullet as high as I like on my vulva, the beak was simply in the way, poking at my mons, and the shaft did reach a little further than I prefer, but this was less of an issue than the beak.

A few other thoughts on this toy. The TPR will attract a little lint and has a slight rubbery smell, but it’s really not offensive. The battery pack is closed with a slide-on cover which doesn’t seem super secure. This toy should not be submerged and you should only use water-based lube. However, TPR should be safe with both water or silicone-based lubricants, so I am not sure why this would be the case.

In the end, I loved the functions of the Decadent Indulgence. The pulsation truly lived up to the name of this toy. However, I could really do without the painful clitoral stimulator. California Exotic does have a lot of toys with similar functions so I will definitely keep my eye out for something that has all the strengths of the Decadent Indulgence without the bite.

7 Comments

Categories: Reviews, Vibrators

Vibratex Pearl Thunder

April 25th, 2009

Pearl Thunder
N/A from

This is an archived review of a discontinued toy.

A while ago, I mentioned that, hey, I must just like ’em big and eagerly took up TabuToys when they offered a larger sized toy for review. After all, why wouldn’t I be curious just how much I can take? The answer is, at least, a diameter of 1.75″ or a circumference just shy of 5.5″. Not bad if I do say so myself. Still, my experience with Vibratex’s Pearl Thunder illustrated that maybe a toy of such size isn’t the best for rotation. Or maybe I should just be done with rotating toys in general.

Although billed as an X-tra Thick toy, I found only part of this rabbit style vibrator to be really large: the head. In fact, only the head is truly 1.75″ in diameter. The rest of the shaft is slightly smaller at about 1.5″ in diameter (and around 5 insertable inches) which seems pretty average to me.

Although, that’s probably the only “average” part of this vibe. I found the whole thing to be really unique, perhaps even weird. With 2 different faces on the toy – 1 which gives new meaning to “head” of a cock toward the top with the engorged tip seeming like hair and one molded into the back of the shaft – I almost want to giggle. The description on TabuToys lists it as the “Thunder from down under” and I conjured up a sort of purple, Aboriginal totem pole.

And don’t worry – there are animals too! The clitoral stimulator, which is some sort of fork-tongued panther-like animal over a small, unique, cylindrical (rather than bullet-shaped) vibrator. And we’re not done yet. On the back of the shaft, around the same height as the clitoral bullet is some sort of rodent (squirrel, otter, beaver?). Whatever it is, it does nothing as I couldn’t feel it at all during insertion.

It almost seems like Vibratex took a bunch of leftovers from the production of other toys to make the Pearl Thunder, and, as you can imagine, there is a lot of texture. There are little etching-like markings over the whole shaft that provide friction if I stroke my hand my over it but aren’t felt as much upon insertion. The clitoral stimulator also has some slightly raised nubs that provide a bit of external stimulation. The added friction, especially with a toy this large, requires a healthy dose of lube, and although I used water-based, silicone-based will work as well. This is also helpful with the stickiness of the “food-grade,” latex-free vinyl (AKA Jelly). The toy will pick up a bit of lint and could possibly react with toys of similar material so storing it in a cool, dark place and away from other toys is the way to go. Furthermore, sharing or anal use is best done with a condom because of the porous nature of the Pearl Thunder.

Looks and texture aside, the functions of this toy are pretty standard. There are two rows of 6 beads each which spin and are controlled by the same sliding button as the rotation. Turning on these functions also shines a red light below the clear beads. As I don’t love rotation like others, I long for toys where shaft and beads have separate controllers. However, I was pleasantly surprised at the strength of the beads. It took the complete strength of my hand to halt their movement and once inserted, they spun despite any clenching of my muscles. I think this is the first time I can say that for any toy so Vibratex hit the jackpot with the beads.

The head of this shaft is on a bendable wire so that it can be bent to hit all the right spots, but if someone is really looking for an extreme angle, they won’t find it with the Pearl Thunder. Only about an inch and a half can bend but because of the super-engorged head, it can only be bent right above the beads to the extent of a 25-degree angle (approximately). I didn’t find this to be an issue because I don’t require my toys to be bent, and I’m not a big fan of rotation: the less, the better.

The issue I had with this toy was that it was actually uncomfortable, even painful, for the shaft to rotate. There is a lot less space for movement when the object inserted is as large as the head on this vibrator, and the front wall of my vagina wasn’t liking it. I was even sore a bit the next day. Unfortunately, I did like the sensation of the beads, which was, as I mentioned, pretty strong, so it was either all or nothing.

I did prefer the clitoral stimulator of the Pearl Thunder over another Vibratex toy I recently reviewed, the Rock Your World vibe. Although not quite as large and powerful as I like bullets to be on rabbit vibes, it did the trick (and with 4 AAs, it better!). The vinyl material is just a little more solid, so the clit stimulator lay snug against me, and the toy hugged my pubic bone how I like. Ultimately, I achieved clitoral orgasm with the shaft turned off, and the bullet turned up to high as I rocked the toy against my pubic bone.

Although I’m usually not a fan of sliding controls like the ones Vibratex uses, I noticed something on the Pearl Thunder that I do not recall on other toys. On maximum, the controls seem to click into place. Although it’s not a secure lock, it does help somewhat to prevent the controls from accidentally moving when you’re in the throes of passion.

One snafu I ran into was the foil-like gold sticker around the controls that describe the functions and direction of strength. When I opened the Pearl Thunder, this sticker was only partially pressed on and seemed to be slightly off-center. The sticker itself looks tacky, but that it wasn’t even completely on was even worse. I pressed it on, and it stayed, but I wound up peeling it off, ultimately. The toy looks infinitely more attractive without it, in my opinion.

I think Vibratex did some things really well with the Pearl Thunder, but there is still room for improvement. The size was nice but I would have preferred a vibrating head as opposed to one that rotates – or separate controls. The beads felt nice and effectively stood the clench test and the body-hugging clitoral stimulator with its slightly raised nubs hit all the right spots (but could have been larger). Although not the safest material, the vinyl was comfortably pliable, and the controls were surprisingly effective once the tacky sticker was removed. Out of all the Vibratex toys I have used, the Pearl Thunder is probably the one I like the most, despite the painful rotation.

6 Comments

Categories: Reviews, Vibrators

Fusion Duality

April 15th, 2009

$39
N/A from

This is an archived review of a discontinued product.

Evolved’s Fusion line of toys has so far been really intriguing, offering multiple uses with dual-ended vibrators and endless patterns of fun. Although longer than your typical vibrator with a length of 10-1/2″, the Fusion Duality isn’t the thickest toy and measures only 1-1/2″ at its widest point. Unlike double penetration toys, the double sides on these toys really only work best for one person; the toy simply isn’t long enough for two people. In fact, for my own personal use, I would have liked the Duality to be a bit longer, especially the end with the flared bumps, which remind me of a rattlesnake tail. Because of the location of the controls, this end offered significantly less insertable length and I was disappointed because of that. I enjoyed the sensation of inserting the bulging shaft into my pussy but was able to insert it less than 3 inches.  To me, it would make more sense that the controls for each side would be on the opposite side rather than right next to the side you insert. However, I was able to orgasm using this end on my clitoris.

I didn’t fare so well with the hooked G-spot stimulation. I actually found insertion to be uncomfortable because of the hard plastic in combination with the shape. The hooked end is rather pointy which allows for pinpoint stimulation but also can feel rather sharp. There is an additional bump on the otherwise straight shaft which seems rather useless. Occasionally it would poke me uncomfortably when inserted. I’m not sure where or how this is supposed to feel good. When I could occasionally angle the hook so that it stimulated my G-spot nicely, the entrance to my pussy would feel sore. This end of the Duality was simply not mad for me.

Aside from those issues,  I found this vibrator to be well made, like I have come to expect from Evolved troys. It comes in the typical metal storage container and the vibrator sits in a contoured piece of foam. The velvet-coat plastic feels absolutely divine in my hand, but my pussy and vulva aren’t quite as sensitive to the texture.  It does at a bit of friction/resistance when thrusting, however. The shade of purple is feminine without being overly girly and there is a modern design around the control area which is cute. I found that this toy had a comfortable heft to it and feels solid in my hands.

Like every Evolved toy I have used, it is waterproof and while I did not choose to use this in the shower (I find it extremely difficult to enjoy myself standing), I ran water over it for a period of time and none leaked into the battery compartment. At first it actually seemed like the two ends did not fit snugly against eachother in order to provide a waterproof seal but the opposite seems to be true. As I wash my toys with soap and water, this is reassuring.

I find the Fusion vibes to be interesting as there are independent motors on each side. However ,I cannot think of time when they would need to be used together. As I already mentioned, this toy really is too short to use with multiple partners and I think the hard ABS plastic would also make it uncomfortable, even painful. As more toys are released from this line, I wonder if we will be able to mix and match because that would provide with the ultimate personal experience.

As is, Evolved claims there are 16 modes of operation to be had with the Fusion Duality. I can only count 15, including 6 single and 9 combination modes, but I’m not about to split hairs over that missing mode. 😉 These settings include a high, medium and low constant vibration on the G-spot hook side. The vibrations are more powerful than Evolved’s Waterproof Seduction but not mind blowingly so. The amount of power is more than  satisfactory for the 4 AAA batteries required.

The rattlesnake tail has 3 different pulsation settings, the first of which is a steady, fast pulsation. The second is a long buzz followed by a quick succession of shorter pulses and this repeats. The third is a really unique pulsation, which is fast, short, and increases in power until it steadies off. This delightful sensation is perfect just before orgasm.

All of these modes are controlled by one of two buttons – one for each side. Unfortunately, the G-spot hook only has steady vibration, and the pulsations are only available on the bulged end, which I think limits the possibilities of this toy. I also thought that I might be able to use only one side of this toy without requiring all 4 batteries, but this was not the case. I’m not sure if it’s possible but I had to hijack 2 of the batteries for my LayaSpot and then wasn’t able to use it at all. LOL

Like other Evolved toys, the Fusion Duality did become difficult to use when my hands were slippery with lube. My fingers curled around the bulging end comfortably when I had the G-spot hook inserted but after lube was applied, it became difficult to grasp.

One unexpected use for this purple vibrator might be as a body massager. The extra long shaft and bulges worked well for a back massage – or even a back scratcher is the need should arise (that pointy hook has to be good for something!).

In the end, I think Evolved is making some unique toys in their Fusion line, which is worth keeping an eye on. While the Duality is a solid vibrator with a lot of different options to enjoy, I found the shape left a little to be desired for its intended use. I don’t think I’ll be achieving that elusive G-spot orgasm with the Fusion Duality but the bulged end definitely works out as a clitoral vibrator

14 Comments

Categories: Reviews, Vibrators

lingerie

SEXTOY.com Vibrating Mini-Bullet

April 10th, 2009

Sextoy.com Vibrating Bullet
N/A from

This is an archived review of a discontinued product. 

Last week, I talked about Sextoy.com’s Vibrating Rabbit, and this week, it shall be their Vibrating Bullet. If you’re in the market for a small, discreet, non-intimidating and versatile toy and don’t have much to spend, then the Sextoy.com Vibrating Bullet might just be the thing for you. Like the Vibrating Rabbit, Sextoy.com has created something that really is a basic in any toy box.

This is your typical silver bullet, except that it’s actually more of the oblong, egg-type vibrator. Made of hard plastic and wired to an easy to hold control/battery pack, it’s a breeze to operate with the sliding control and surprisingly strong (but I do think my BNaughty is stronger). I tend to prefer specific settings a little bit more because the difference as you increase speed is nice, but once it’s turned all the way up – and I inevitably turn all my toys up – it doesn’t make much of a difference. The black control pack has “Sextoy.com” written in silver and does feel a bit flimsy. It’s also made of smooth plastic, so if you’re using lube, be careful, or the whole thing may shoot out of your hand.

Bullets and eggs are really versatile. You can rub and tap or flick and swirl them around or against yourself and (with a condom), vaginal insertion is possible, too. Because of its small size and inconspicuous appearance, you can easily keep this under the bed, between the mattresses, in a drawer of your nightstand or dress or even in your purse or bag, which makes bullets ideal for travel, parties, and whatnot.

The Sextoy.com Vibrating Bullet is not my favourite, however. It did bring me to orgasm, but I just thought that the plastic was a bit too smooth because I like a lot of pressure on my pubic area, and a toy that provides a little bit of friction does that better. I also found the silver appearance to cheapen the toy a little bit. It didn’t feel like it was a super quality product and it definitely would have been a plus were it waterproof.

Because the bullet is hard plastic, either silicone or water-based lubricants are okay, but you don’t need to use a lot. The bullet will provide absolutely no friction so just a drop will do you good. Clean-up is also a breeze – you can use a little soap and water or a wet cloth (just make sure to keep the control pack away from the water). Some plastic toys can be wiped down with an alcohol solution to sanitize even further, but I’m not sure if this is the case with the Sextoy.com Vibrating Mini-Bullet; it appears to be painted silver (could that peel or rub off in combination with alcohol?) and I have no alcohol to test. Unless you plan on sharing (and you shouldn’t even consider bullets in the backdoor because the wire could easily break), soap and water cleanup should be fine.

The Sextoy.com Vibrating Mini-Bullet ran well and only required 2AAs. Another plus is that the package has a code for 10 free minutes of porn on Sextoy.com, which is worth the price of the toy – less than $3 alone. At this price, you could buy one for every room in your house or every member of your family. In fact, the Sextoy.com Vibrating Mini-Bullet might just make a great party favour if your guests are fond of sex toys!

8 Comments

Categories: Reviews, Vibrators

Image © MisterUnlucky; used with permission.