Blog of a twenty something graduate student who is either going through a great personal awakening; losing his damn mind, or both. Also there are a lot of sex toys involved.
The position of the day playing cards are your stranded 54 card deck of playing cards (52 card + 2 jokers). Each card in the deck has a silhouettes of a couple in a different sex position, just silhouettes no genitals shots so it all tasteful. Underneath each picture is the name of the position.
The person naming them had a sense of humor with some of the position having the typical animal names such as “The Squid” and the “The Humpback Whale” some more humorous such as “The NYPD” , “The Stealth Bombshell”, “OHHHHH, Canada!” , and “Pin The Tail On The Girlfriend”. Also the four suits each have a theme to them:
The hearts have a pop culture theme to them with names such as “Missionary Impossible”, “Tarzan Meet Jane” and “The 007” The diamonds focus on animal based names such as the “Cat’s Cradle” and “Poking the “Inchworm with a Stick” and so on. The spades have a sport them to them with cards such” The Stating Block” and “Bang Gliding” Lastly, The clubs have a patriotism/service theme: with positions such as “The Pledge” “Raising Her Flag” and “The Happy Fire Man”. One nice touch is that the royal cards (Ace, King, Queen and Jack) have a slightly different boarder around them then the other cards.
Most of the positions are doable for most couples but there are also some intermediate positions, and some which should only be attempted if the most daring of couples, such as “Bombs Bursting In Air” Most of the cards are standard sex position although there are also fiveoral sex positions in the deck. Interestingly, the cards are all cunnilingus positions fellatio is curiously not well represented in this deck. The deck is also aim at heterosexual couples the only non-heterosexual position are two women on the Joker cards (in an unnamed position) and on the five of diamonds. It would of been a nice nod to diversity if they had made one joker M/M and one F/F but o well.
The cards they are of decent quality and mildly coated making them resistant to water however, they aren’t exceptional quality by any means. The cards bend and mark easily and the cards have a woven texture that drags when shuffling the card. You should also keep in mind that the back has a clear top and bottom when shuffling the cards.
Overall the position of the day playing cards are exactly what I expected them to be a fun little deck of cards designed for heterosexual couples. They aren’t the best deck of playing cards I’ve had but for $8.50 they are worth the money.
Disclosure Statement: This product was provided free of charge by GoodVibrations Sex Toys in exchange for an honest review.
I should I start by mentioning I bought this collar knowing it would be too big for me, but looking at the pictures I figured I could punch a few extra holes to make it fit me.(1). To that end I was right I ended up adding two extra holes to make it fit, one for a snugger fit one for a looser fit, I don’t think that affects the quality of my review but I thought I should note that before moving on. With that said, let us get to the review.
The Spartacus Armband Collar
Materials
This collar is made out of leather with metal bucklers. Leather should be cleaned carefully with a damp cloth. (There are also specialty products used to care for leather you could use) Sharing is not recommended if bodily fluids are involved. Note that the design of this collar may make it harder to clean. Also using leather seasons it making it suppler over time although this collar is always going to be rigid due to the series of metal rectangles in it design.
Design Dimensions and Appearance
This collar is made of black leather with black stitching the buckler and brackets are all metal. This collar is 24.” in total length and should fit neck from 21.5″ to 18.5″ in circumference (my neck is around 17.5-18 which is why I had to add some extra holes to it) and is an inch and a half wide at its widest (from one end of the metal bracket to the other). The part where you actually fasten the belt is about 7 and a half inches of the collar’s total length it comes with 6 holes spaced about 3/8 of an inch apart.
The belt portion where you fasten it comes with 6 holes (please ignore the seventh hole which I added myself). you can also use this portion for some mild slapping.
What makes this collar unique is that the leather is passed through a series of rectangle metal loops (These brackets are the same as the loop you pass the belt through on top) this gives the impression of the main part of the belt being made up of a series of tiny leather tubes. A picture best illustrates this effect:
The series of leather woven through metal rectangles gives this collar a unique look
If you look at the belt from the side, you can see the leather is black all the way through in the first part of the belt, but the segment that is run through the series of metal brackets is white in the center. Looking at it from the side the series of loops also mildly resembles an infinity symbol, which is kind of cool.
The buckler on this collar is a nickel buckler.
The Spartacus Armband Collar's Buckler
The inside of the collar is rough as you can see from the pic below.
The Spartacus Armband Collar's Inner Lining
Overall, I like the look of this collar. The leather run through the brackets makes gives this collar a unique look, the tops and bottom of the metal brackets give this a cool metal look on the top that contrasts with the black leather in the center nicely when worn.
The metal on the top and button contrast nicely with the black of the leather.
Use and Operation
This is called the armband collar because it could alternatively be used as an armband; however, as you see can see you would need a pretty huge arm to use this as an armband even adding holes to it, so I’m only reviewing it as a collar. (Spartacus also makes small and medium versions of this, which would be easier to use as an armbands. At least I’m assuming this is the large I can’t imagine a size bigger than this one.). With that out of the way, let look at how the collar works(2) To start the good, the collar is 1.5 inches wide the collar does restrict my ability to look down to an extent not enough for it to be uncomfortable or limit my ability to perform tasks that require a downward gaze but enough to let me know the collar is their so the width was right for me. The collar was overall comfortable but the rough inner side can become a little irritating and leave light red marks over time. I wore the collar while working out one day and did not notice any problems concerning sweat while I was wearing the collar. Lastly, the end part is just long enough and wide enough I can use it for mild belt like whipping before putting it on.
Packaging
The collar came in just a plastic bag that had a bar-code sticker on it.
Closing Thoughts
Overall, there is not much to say this collar has a unique look to it, which I like and is comfortable at least in the short term, so it comes, recommend if you are looking for a collar with a unique look to it.
This product was provided free of charge to the reviewer.
This was due in part to me having bought one collar before without checking the measurements and having it be too small, now I am over compensating. I guess. [↩]
However, keep in mind I am kind of a collar newbie. [↩]
Short version: I’m not voluntarily leaving Edenfantasys (although they might make that decision for me ). EF is simply the quickest means to an end. However I feel need to point out EF styles it self as more then a means to an ends it styles it self as being an open and honest sex positive community and I find that to be bullshit. Although EF’s sins aren’t so egregious as for me to boycott them completely (they have yet to help put a bounty on the heads of sex workers unlike a certain other online magazine) They are enough that I felt the need to write the this post and have it stated for the record that I find the calm that EF is an open honest, transparent, community to be bullshit. The below will explain why I find that claim to be bull, if they don’t feel the need to ban me after I say my peace I will speak no more of this and continue working with them (unless they pull more bullshit). While only the tip of the iceberg ,you can read the full list of EF’s sins here, I will mostly focus on filling what I see as a gap in the discussion regarding EF: Fred’s (president of EF) claim that other sites (the specific ones I’ll list below) use the same type of JavaScript encapsulation to handle user generated contentas does EF.
Note: I waited to post this because I was waiting for my affiliate check to be safely in the bank. I believe this speaks volumes about how much trust I have in EF right now.
Introduction
For those of you unfamiliar with the Edenfantasys linking fiasco. MayMay described this in great technical detail in his post( Please read his post first other wise much of this may not make sense). But in short Edenfantasys uses Java script to handle all of the links on its retail website and on its magazine SexIs, this replaces all the outbound links with “likelinks”. According to Maymay and others this is a sneaky Javascript redirect and is prohibited by Google webmaster guidelines. Since there is no sign of the true link in the non-script code, this means is there is no outbound links on the site that will be crawled by search engines because as far as the search engines, which can’t follow the Javascript, can see their is no outbound link. This means no matter how much you write for Edenfantasys (Note this doesn’t included Edencafe that is just a WordPress blog, hold on to this, it will become relevant later) off site no matter how much they link to you it will not effect your Google rank as Google can’t see the links. But wait wait Fred has answers, bull shit answers. Here is the relevant part of his first response (Note: I had to manually insert the links because a straight copy paste inside Firefox will only copy EF self-referential links, again hold on to this for later):
Some helpful examples include these sites, which do the same JavaScript-based encapsulation:
Those are just a few of the millions of sites who utilize this linking practice as means for protection of user-generated content on interactive platforms.
All linking within SexIs Magazine, on contributor profiles, and elsewhere on EF have always been encapsulated. This allows us to be able to display all of the content instantly without pre-moderation and to share traffic with our contributors.
Before we continue let me make explicitly clear what EF is doing:
1) The links will only work with Javascript enabled.
2) It is a script designed for solely for handling links; there are many site where the profiles, forums or even the site it self won’t load with out JS this is not the same as what EF is doing. On EF the page/forum/comment will load and only the link is non-functional with out JavaScript.
3) The link you put in isreplaced by a non script <span> element which can only be lead you out of the site if JavaScript is enabled.
The links on the sites Fred cites be they user created or not do not function like that, but that I could let go. Then Fred opened his mouth and out came even more bull shit you can read the full announcement here:
If you read negative posts about us, look a few lines below or to the side, you will always find our competition’s promos. The simple answer would be – competition.
Right people are going against their own economic self interest by giving up the affiliate cash would gain by being your affiliate and the free toys and in some case the cash they would make writing for Edencafe just because they like your competition so much. Not any specific competition just the general grouping of anyone that not EF. It couldn’t be because you didn’t pay them, or because you banned them, or due to a negative experience they had with your company its because of your competition, because in PR fantasy land EF is infallible and no one could ever have a negative experience with you which would be a much simpler explanation.
Competition is the simplest explanation even when this recent rallying of anti EF sentiment is all clustered not around a new competitor opening or something else connected to your competition, but out of EF bullshit. The first wave came after the first round of EF spurting PR department bullshit (it couldn’t be because we are smart enough to tell bullshit when we see, it is because of competition). The second wave started after EF’s bull about their linking again the simplest explanation isn’t “we don’t trust you and your business practices” its “the competition”. It not them Fred its You. Moving on to the next piece of bull:
Why did you say those other sites link the same way when they don’t? The Java use is similar but actual linking is different.
This is a high-tech talk and it needs to be discussed on a case-by-case basis. However, from what we see, in general, the confusion comes from people who are not differentiating the user-generated content (UGC) from the editorial content. The editorial external links on the cited examples do work differently, but this is because they are inserted by the editorial staff and are checked manually. To compare apples-to-apples, one needs to try to insert a link into those sites oneself – making it a UGC link. This handling needs to be compared with how EF handles the UGC links. However, the exact coding might differ a bit from Eden’s but the final result will be same – the user inserted link won’t work with JavaScript disabled. Try it the right way, to compare, and you will see.
There is so much bullshit just in this response it hard to tell where to begin. But let start with the question he answered, the question itself I find to be bullshit-y. It has the line “the Java [Script] use is smiler, the Javascript use is NOT similar and it is not similar specifically because of the linking issue by phrasing the question that way, any answer is automatically making EF look innocent. Moving on the “case to case basis” line, my theory is that was slipped in to allow them be able to say “well not in that case, your just not doing it right” when someone presents an example of user created links not being encapsulated. (which is why I will present dozens )
Secondly all EF links be no matter who created it are encapsulated. Editorial content as well as user created off site links are “encapsulated”. Or do you mean to tell me the entire whole of a online magazine with paid writers and editors is all non-editorial content? Are you telling me that the pages such as those on FTC guidelines link, which has a JS encapsulated link to the FTC or the this page explain the affiliate program, which has several off site links, are user created pages and not the product of EF staff and manually checked links? Even demonstrating that editorial content is not encapsulated still proves that EF and the other sites linking practices are not the same, as far as I’m concerned. More importantly, even accepting that all links on EF are or are treated as if they were user created, the user created content on those other sites are NOT Javascript “encapsulated”.
Proving that EF linking and the sites Fred sites aren’t handling the user created links the same from a is so simple I can and have done so in under 140 characters take a look at this tweet. In it I link to a user created profile on Lifehacker that has a link I added to the profile, a fully functional non-encapsulated link added me to that site (and the whole Gawker network but I’m getting ahead of myself). This to me should be enough to demonstrate that the two site don’t link in a similar fashion all user created links are encapsulated on EF, not all links are encapsulated on the examples he cites. However to remove all doubt let ask ourselves the question:
Where is the JavaScript Encapsulation Fred?
USA Today and the Indy Channel
I’m going to start by giving Fred the benefit of the doubt and look at the two examples which are closest to what he says. USA today and the Indy channel’s main page(1) are heavily dependent on JavaScript, neither the forums nor the user profiles will load with out JavaScript, the entire forum and the entire profile pages not just the links this is not the same as having just the links be JavaScript redirected. Again no one is denying that there are sites or portions of site that don’t work without JavaScript. The links in those cases still don’t behave like EF links do. Look at the status bar the links on those site display the destination in the status bar not the page your on like EF link’s do. Secondly copy a whole post that has user created links from those sites and from EF note that those site will copy over a proper link to the destination site, unlike EF. EF link structure is designed so all roads point to EF. Even being kind and counting these as “close enough”, and if he just gave these two I would probably do that and move on, that still leaves 80% of Fred examples as bull plain and simple.
CNN
These examples are taken from their user generated ireport site. The description of ireport straight from CNN’s description (emphasize mine)
iReport is a USER-generated section of CNN.com. The stories here come from USERS. CNN has vetted only the stories marked with the “CNN” badge.
Look at the link at the bottom for www.lowcountrywx.com, you can click on without Java script unlike what EF tells you. Note in the screen-shoot the media player that does require JS is non-functional. This user generated story comparable to an article on SexIs.
Look, a link to blog spot blog NOT encapsulated like in each and every profile link on EF is.
Now note if you look the comment section under the articles won’t load with out JavaScript. Now as I said above this a function of that forum not a method of “encapsulating” links after all if the goal was to encapsulate links why allow them both on the user created articles and on the user profiles? Simplest explanation CNN is not “encapsulating” link using JavaScript they are using a JavaScript based comment forum system. (Still not convinced of the difference between these thing? Read below for more)
Gizmodo, LifeHacker, Dead Spin, Lo9, Kotaku and Jalopnik
Now I will tackle the next bunch of sites together because they are all part of the Gawker media network and are on the same platform. When you register for one site, you register for them all. Guess what? They have user profiles that you can add a link to, an apples to apples comparison as EF also has user created profiles where you can add a link (only difference none of these ask for a Google friendly link in return). Let look at how out bound links are handled on Gawker network, here is my profile on Gizmodo:
Click= "Make my screen shoot GROW!"
A standard link structure and you can click on it with out JavaScript and it will work. But like I said you register for one you get a user profile on them all, so here is my profile on LifeHacker (Pic), and on Dead Spin (Pic) and on Lo9 (Pic), and on Kotaku (Pic) and on Jalopnik (Pic) however those are not the only Gawker media site so here are some bonus examples: my profile on Jezebel(Pic) and on Gawker(Pic) and on Fleshbot (Pic).
Note: that even thought the account has yet to be approved there is an non-JavaScript link to my blog right on each of the profile pages. Ferd actually consider this site’s linking comparable to EF’s linking where even paid writers for SexIs have there links changed to “likelinks.”? Where posts made by EF staff have the links “encapsulated”? Where the exact same link as I have there is “encapsulated” on my EF profile. Let me makes the level of BS clear: Fred is saying a site where I can before my account is even approved can simultaneously add a non Java script link to every site in their network, 6 of which he used as his examples, is comparable to a site where nothing be it user or staff created is not Java script encapsulated. This my friends is bullshit.
But wait there is more evidence all of these sites have the option to comment on articles in the form underneath the article, now Javascript is required for you to view the forum ,once again to even see the forum not just to have functional links. However like I said above this is not the same as what EF is doing. To illustrate Gawker media’s forums system has a perma link function which demonstrates how silly the notion that the two are comparable is, because JS is not required to view the perma links or to click on the links within. Here is perma-link a post on Gizmodo (pic below) you can click on the link and not only will the comment load with JavaScript disabled the links inside of it will still work, no Javascript encapsulation for links on the Gawker network. Once again this behavior is the same on Lifehacker (Pic), Deadspin (Pic), io9 (Pic), Kotaku (Pic) and on Jalopnik (Pic) and now for the bonus examples: Fleshbot, (Pic) Jezebel (Pic) Gawker (Pic).
Click to embiggen
but wait there is more all sites on the Gawker media network have a tag function i.e. #tips that can function as there equivalent of an open forum i.e. #offtopic, if you click on one of these tags and there are a least a few examples on the right hand corner next to the share button on each site, or you could just put: http://(url of gawker media site)/tags/(the tag you want to see here). i.e http://gizmodo.com/tag/tips Again this is accessible with out JavaScript enabled and if you click on a link *gasp* they will work with out Jazz script enabled and the link structure is nothing remotely comparable to EF.
Still not convinced here is a video of me browsing the user generated links of the Gawker network with JavaScript disabled:
Celebitchy
Lastly Celebitchy if you look at the blog it may feel familiar to some of you, if it does it is because Celebitchy is run on fucking WordPress; it powered by the same software that runs this site and many of the sites EF reviewers use. WordPress blogs do not use JavaScript to “encapsulate” outbound links, not even Eden’s own WordPress blog does that. Here is an example of not one but two user created outbound links, created by the same comment system used on most WordPress blogs.
Click and full size I will go.
Please tell me I’m wrong. No seriously tell me the head of EF did not just try to pass off a WP blog as using Javascript encapsulation for user created links when even their own WP blog doesn’t do that and the employee that runs it has repeatedly said it doesn’t and that same blog like this one uses the commentluv plug-in so there are even more non-encapsulated links on it then normal?
What about other User Generated Content sites chaos?
I had to ask myself if Fred wanted to demonstrate how USER Generated content is handled why did he pick sites which are primarily editorial content? Why he did not pick one of the many sites that are primarily user generated to illustrate his point? My theory is that Fred was setting a trap he picked sites that where primarily editorial content in order to bait people in to falling in to his counter argument of “but its not user-generated content” or maybe he genuinely believes sites which do not require Javascript for user added links really are using the same Javascript “encapsulation” as EF . Who knows? However, as a demonstrated above the user generated portion of all the sites he cites and more aren’t “encapsulated” in the manner EF “encapsulates” links. So I decided to look at some other user generated content sites and if you look at the major sites consisting of primarily user generated content none of them “encapsulate” links either. Let us look at Wikipedia’s page on user created content for a minute for a minute. Look at“the notable websites based on user generated content” sections and let’s look at some of those examples. Let us take a look at some of those websites, that are again based on User Generated Content, and compare them to EF.
Wikipedia
First site up: Wikipedia, the site anyone can edit, the site that anyone can add a link to. Let look at the references section of the user generated content page. If you have JavaScript disableall the links still work, as does the page itself and most of Wikipedia, and the code is standard stuff here is a pic:
Click for growth
The user generated “largest and most popular general reference work on the Internet”, doesn’t use Javascript to “encapsulate” links.
Twitter
Surely, a site that goes down so often would use this lovely security technique to protect itself…o wait no it does not. Again keep Java script disabled look I can see all my tweets and the link and look normal code, no Java script used no Java script encapsulations (note you need JavaScript to log in, the log in forum won’t pop up other wise, unless you are using cookies enabled so your login in automatically).
(inappropriate comment about touching and things growing)
DIGG
Digg no Jazz script encapsulation. Look at this again a site all about user created links does not use Javascript for outgoing links.
Clicking this one actually takes you to a smaller version...not
Youtube definitely needs JavaScript to play video no question but, even in a site that requires Java script to function outbound links are still not “encapsulated” want an example here is one of Eden’s own vids on youtube. With out JavaScript you can’t even pull down the menu to see the full link yet you can still click it. Even in a site that is effectively inoperable with out JavaScript there is still no “encapsulation” for out bound links.
Click me, make full sized I dare ya!
and so on and so on….but try it for yourself disable JavaScript and go around try to find a link that you can see but won’t take you anywhere because the code has been replaced with span elements requiring JavaScript to interpret.
But what about those staying with EF?
Surely the other people staying with EF have an explanation that makes all of this make sense? Not as far as I can tell they either don’t care or like me they are staying in spite of Fred bull not because they believe it. Example:
My opinion on their link policies is likely in line with most that have a technical background. The method of linking they are using isn’t protecting anyone, and worse may be providing a false sense of security to the site owners. Either way, you are eventually transferred to the destination website, and at that point there is no “protection” at all. Personally, I think they should get a second opinion from another programmer, and disable this piece of code
I do believe that their linking policies aren’t right,
and this is from some one who says they will continue to recommend EF without hesitation. I’m not so forgiving I will continue to recommend EF for the things EF has demonstrated it self to be good for as I put it a means to an end but I will not only hesitate but flat out lead anyone who wants to support real honesty and sex positivity elsewhere. Analogy: you want lowest prices go to Walmart you want to support local small business go there and pay more and just like in the analogy I see no problem with recommending different places accordingly. Even the people staying with EF think don’t agree with Fred explanation the only difference is that they choice to focus on what they are staying for I’m focusing on what I’m staying in spite of. (unless of course they ban me, I know your reading this EF employees. Maybe they will just put me in their “cooling off period” which would prove that the cooling off period is designed to be punishment, not a preventive measure.) Some people say this is negative, I say this is honesty, pretending that you don’t see a giant gray land animal in the room because it would be “negative” that is dishonesty.
The “Community”
As demonstrated above the idea the the sites Fred cite use the same Java script encapsulation technology is laughable. However to be honest I don’t care about the link issue it self, even if they weren’t using this linking method they would still probably use some thing thing like the “no follow” attribute to deny link juice to contributors so the linking issue itself isn’t my problem. My problem is with Fred’s BS deceptive response. He pulled the “ur doing it wrong” card; insulted those that have an issue with EF by saying it all about his competition even thought most off site reviewers, review and have ads for multiple companies, including some EF employees and give a bunch of BS examples of sites which supposedly use the same linking method when they clearly don’t.
If he is BSing his community because he knows what he is doing is shady then it obvious he doesn’t care about his community. If he is mistaken then he just insulted his own community and even banned people with out getting he facts straight. If he truly believe that a network of sites where any one can make an account and simultaneously add a non-encapsulated user created links to every site on their network , via their user profiles, and a site run on WordPress, handling user created links the way all WordPress sites do, are “using the same JavaScript-based encapsulation” as a site where no link any where on the site be it added by paid staff, paid writers, manufactures or users is non-encapsulated, then their is a disconnect between him and the community (by which I mean rational thinking people) that makes me unable to trust what comes out of his mouth.
Now there is no doubt that the issue Fred cite as possible reasons for implementing this code are real however the idea that the sites Fred lists are using the same technology is silly. There are other sites that use entirely different form of redirects for example the site my space redirect links through a different domain however that is still not comparable to what EF is doing. These are not Javascript redirects so their is not the issue of having an different element i.e EF “likelink” span elements in the non-JS code then in the JS. what the search engine see and what the user see is still the same, we both see the redirect links. However, had Fred presented the JavaScript redirect as simply their version of this and left it at that I wouldn’t have a major issue, had they simply presented it as simply the method they chose to use and acknowledged this is not used by the sites Fred cites I wouldn’t be writing a massive post with pictures and video. Hell even if he just didn’t use example so blatantly unlike EF ,(My view on politicians is relevant here I’m not surprised when they BS I’m surprised when they do it poorly.) I wouldn’t have written this. Sure there are problems with those explanation too but I wouldn’t have cared enough to write about it. However when you start feeding me the type of BS Fred did above (again making this clear I can and have personally have added links to over half the examples of sites he says use the same JavaScript encapsulation as EF simultaneously if that is not opposite of what EF is doing I don’t know what is) then I start to get up set when you insult the intelligence of you community by saying your doing it wrong even when it clear that we are not I get anger when you clam to be honest and instead of giving honest answer you pull lines from “Cover Your Ass: PR bull 101″ “: “it all the competitors fault no one could ever not like me because of something I did” on top of that, then I write the massive post. And like I said tip of iceberg many other people have had serious compliments about Fred and EF and you can read all about them in the link I included in the intro.
An Informed Decision
This is it about making an informed decisions and based upon the above I say Fred/who ever is feeding him these lines is full of shit. Part of the reasons this post has so many examples is that what was necessary to provide sufficient evidence to back my statement. Does this mean, I’m telling you not to shop there? No I’m continuing to shop there. What I’m presenting to you is my evidence that the president of EF is full of shit what you do with information is up to you. What would I do if I where you? If you want good prices on sex toys , we are in rescission after all, go ahead and shop on EF; if you want good features real size etc good ahead and shop on EF; if you want an easy way to way to earn free gift-cards and toys go ahead and shop on EF and join their various programs. However if you want a shop some where that actually promotes the virtues Fred calm he believe in:openness honesty, transparency, a sex-positive community shop else where. Positive communities aren’t based on feeding your members bullshit and them saying “ur doing it wrong” (and banning them) when people point out it is in fact bullshit.
I’m staying with EF (assuming they don’t ban me which they probably will) because it is the quickest means to an end, to get a bunch of sex toys (although I’m screen caping my affiliate commissions on a regular basis now). However don’t let this give you the impression I actually believe their marketing bull. Not only is EF not honest or transparent, Fred is clearly breading a culture of deception (just look at the above sea of non-encapsulated links in sites that supposedly use the same tech as a site that encapsulates all links), they are the proverbial wolf in sheep’s clothing.
While a good place to shop and review for the idea that Edenfantasys is open, honesty, transparent, positive, community is bullshit.
The Nexus Glide is a prostate massager and the first toy I will be reviewing for Vibrator.com like the Aneros series and other toys designed exclusively for prostate massage is the toy has an insertable portion designed for prostate stimulation and a perineum tab deigned to stimulate the perineum aka (the t’aint) externally and can be used hands free by moving it with just your pelvic muscles. Overall, the Glide is a well-made, effective toy and I liked the roller ball designed however, the toy is not a perfect fit for my anatomy/personal preference, which leaves me wanting to try other members of the nexus line to see if they are a better fit.
The Nexus Glide
Materials: Cleaning and Safety Concerns
The body of the toy is hard plastic while the roller ball is made of stainless steal. To clean just wipe it with soap and water, plastic is not a very porous material however as you can’t fully sterilize it (i.e boiling it) use a barrier if sharing. plastic is compatible with all lubes and you should use a generous amount of lube. A note on lubes very viscous lubes can gunk up the ball bearing so I personally prefer a good silicone lube.
Design and Dimensions
The body of the Nexus Glide starts with an oval like head that is 1.3” thick at its widest point and about .75 at its thinnest which tapers down to the main shaft of the toy which budges and tapers back down before you reach the end. There are three ridges on the end but they are decorative only, as you hit the perineum stimulator before you could insert the ridges.
The roller ball perineum stimulator stick out about 1.25” from the main body of the toy. It is this roller ball perineum stimulator is what makes the Nexus line of prostate stimulators unique. Instead of a hard plastic tab like most other prostate massagers, the nexus line has a metal roller ball instead. There is a hole on the bottom that allows you to poke the ball from underneath and pop it out its socket so you can clean it easily and the Glide comes with a small plastic tool designed specifically to do this job.
The roller ball removal tool
The downward facing portion of the base can be used to manually move the Glide for additional stimulation; although this toy is designed so you can active this hand-free by tilting the pelvis or by just using you pelvic floor muscles. The Glide is available in multiple color white, red, purple, and black. Lastly, Nexus also make several other roller-ball prostate simulators: The Excel, The Titus and the Nexus Vibro. As well as several other products designed for prostate stimulation such as the Nexus Gyro and the Nexus “O”.
Pleasure and Use
The first thing to keep in mind when using a prostate massager is that it can take a while to reach the “hands free super orgasm” heights often experienced by those practicing prostate massage. That being said many men find that prostate stimulation can increase their pleasure drastically even if they can’t reach orgasm via prostate stimulation alone or using a hands free methods of prostate stimulation. Don’t worry if you’re new to prostate massagers as the included manual provides a good tutorial for first time users. My experience with prostate massage is that they give me extremely powerful non-ejaculatory orgasms(1). I have yet to have an ejaculatory orgasm via prostate stimulation alone, although I do produce a lot of precum and if I add in penile stimulation, the additional prostate stimulation does amplify the resulting ejaculatory orgasm significantly. Lastly I’ve only used one other toy designed exclusively for Aneros style prostate and perineum stimulation a toy called “Euphoria enhanced”. With that said let look at how the Glide worked for me.
First the good, the Glide definitely hits the prostate and does an effective job of bring me to orgasm whether I’m using my PC muscles, tilting my pelvis or using the manual stimulation tab in order to activate it. The manual stimulation tab is also well designed it stick out more than the tab on my other prostate massager which make it easier to use to manually. Lastly, I like the roller ball design it does not have that poke-y feel that tabs of plastic the Euphoria can have during an extended session.
Now moving on to the bad, first off comparing it to my euphoria the perineum stimulator on the glide is little over a quarter inch shorter then the one on the Euphoria this mean it hits lower on the body. I prefer stimulation a bit higher on the perineum region, while the tab on this one get the job done I always feel it is just short of hitting the right spot. Secondly, it doesn’t stay in during orgasm. While shooting stuff out of there may be a good party trick, it means unless I’m holding it in place I missing out on having that extra stimulation during orgasm itself. Despite this it does produce some good orgasms and if I did not already have my Euphoria to compare it to I would probably be raving about it.
Who is it for?
The Glide is well-made and the moderate diameter means it beginner friendly and the problems I had with it are matters of personal anatomy and preference. If you think this will suit your body and preferences I would recommend it. If you anatomy sounds like it is set up like mine I’d recommend you look at some of Nexus’s other roller ball massagers which I haven’t reviewed yet but seem like they would remedy the issues I had with the Glide.
Packaging
The Glide comes in an oval shaped plastic tube, inside is the Glide (duh!), a very useful instruction manual and the roller ball removable tool.
The Nexus Glide's packaging
Closing Thoughts
Overall both the good and be summed up in the same statement “I look forward to trying another Nexus prostate massager”. This one falls a little short of the mark for me, but is still good and makes me want to try more nexus products.
Disclosure Statement: This toy was provide free of charge by vibrator.com in exchange for an honest review.
orgasm and ejaculation are two different things that can be separated from each other [↩]
Only recently have I started to identify as a hetero-flexible male, and one thing I have noticed is that it is hard to find good male bisexual porn, which is why I was very excited to review Fluid: Men Redefining Sexuality form Good Vibrations (This is also the first porn I’ve ever review by the way, be rough and merciless ). Fluid: Men bills it self as part porn, part documentary, I think documentary is a bit of a stretch it more of interviews followed by hot sex scenes, however, whatever you call it what matters is that it delivers. So much so it won 2010 Feminist Porn Awards Best Bi Movie and after viewing it I can see why.
The movie has a total of six sex scenes, these scene come in pairs the first scene will be a one on one sex scene with the next adding a third person, to turn the scene from a M/F or M/M scene into a MMF scene. Before each scene, except the fourth, is an interview with one of the male performers for a total of 5 interviews. The scenes and their performers are as follows (see scene-by-scene synopsis below for a detailed blow by blow):
This format worked extremely well for me. First let us start with the interviews; this is not just mindless chatter like some pre-scene interviews I’ve seen. In each interview their asked to discuss their sexuality and how much they identify (or don’t identify!) with the label queer, what influenced their sexuality, etc. Each interview gave me a good insight in to the minds of the performers. This little peak into their minds made the subsequent sex much hotter as you are allowed to better connect with the performer before everything gets hot and heavy. The interviews are also intercut with some quick clips of the scene to come effectively teasing you along the way. Very well done in my opinion.
Moving on to the sex the best thing about the film is the sense of real chemistry between the performers, there is dirty talk, moaning, instructions, taping, and commands; the performers genuinely seem into it. Everything about how the movie is shot adds to this sense of genuine chemistry. The lighting and camera have a more amateur feel to them. The performers enter the scene clothed, in stylish but normal street clothes not porn star fishnets. The sets are normal looking sets not generic McMansions. Each scene starts with some quite music, which disappears entirely a few minutes into the scene. As you would expect from a Good Releasing film the sex toys used are all good quality, body-safe toys for example the Hitachi Magic Wand (No gigantic jelly dongs of chemical doom here). I have no real complainants about this DVD, but if I had to nit pick seeing an ass to pussy transfer in one scene with no clean up was a turn off and a female-male-male pegging scene might have been nice, but those are very minor nitpicks.
Menu Navigation
The menus are clear and easy to navigate the nice thing about the menu is that the interview and sex scenes are separated so you can go to exactly the content you want.
Extras:
The DVD has a nearly 18minute long sideshow which has additional pics of the performers and pics of the scenes. The movie also comes with two trailers: one for Fluid: Women Redefining Sexuality and one for The Curse of Macbeth.
The scene start with Jack and Constance fooling around pressed against the wall of a bedroom before Jack throws Constance on to the bed. As they take off their close there is some hot shoots of Jack wrapping his belt around Constance’s neck, before he goes down on her. Oral on him follows including some deep throat before moving into a 69. Some more oral, stroking, and passionate kissing follows, before she asks for condoms and lube. Some more hot groping and kissing follow before moving on to the actual penetration. Constance get really into it, actively fucking back. The scene ends with a close up on Constance’s face as Jack fucks her with her hands pinned down behind her back.
The scene picks up where scene one left off. Gabriel walks into the scene and begins taking his clothes off. The two men begin to play with each other as Constance takes out a Hitachi to play with herself as she watches. Jack performs oral on Gabriel first, the two kiss and fondle before Gabriel performs oral on Jack as Constance moans and groans as she watches the action. The two men eventually move into a 69 for a few moments before Jack begin rimming Gabriel. The penetration starts with Jack penetrating Gabriel with Constance still watching as she works the Hitachi on herself. After a while of watching, the boys penetrate each other Constance turns off the Hitachi and starts fingering and rimming Jack. Gabriel and Constance perform a double BJ on Jack for a bit. Both males condom and lube up to do a male-male-female penetration with Jack as the center of the sandwich. As the scene progresses, the Hitachi is also used on Constance as the three go at it. The scene ends with both men doing pop shots on Constance’s chest and stomach, which Jack licks up, and all three players kissing each other passionately.
The scene starts with Kade and Amber kissing, fondling, and peeling each other cloths off on a couch. After Amber takes off Kade pants reveling a hard on and Kade wearing a cock ring she goes down on him. Amber maintains good eye contact with Kade and does some deep throat before they switch positions so Kade can go down on her; after some oral and fingering Amber tastes herself off Kade’s fingers. They switch positions and Amber begins rimming Kade, after a bit she then begins fingering Kade’s ass while sucking his cock. The penetration begins with Kade doing Amber from behind, the two go at it roughly with some spanking and coking and at one point both Kade and Amber herself stick two fingers each in Amber’s ass, and gape her a bit.
Mark Frenchy enters the scene and pushs amber off Kade with his foot, which Amber licks. As the two men play with each other Amber crawls to the edge of the couch and takes out a Hitachi to pleasure herself with as she watches the two men. Kade performs oral on Mark. The two men change positions, and Amber begins rimming Mark as Mark blows Kade. The penetration begins with Mark doing Kade from behind; Kade also performs oral on Amber as Kade is pounding him. The men switch and Kade then begins penetrating Amber, with both Amber and Kade performing oral on Mark as he does. The men switch position and Mark then penetrates Amber, as Kade gets oral from Amber. There is an ass to pussy without cleanup (to prevent infection) here which is a bit of a turn off. The scene cut a little abruptly to a shot of amber with a butt plug in her mouth, which Mark take out and puts in Kade’s ass. Both men do open mouth facials on Amber before they all kiss each other ending the scene
Unlike the past two scenes, this starts out as a male/male scene between Rose and Tommy in a Kitchen. Tommy Gives Rose a Blowjob a bar stool. Rose then Fuck Tommy up against the kitchen wall, with lots of moaning and screaming from Tommy
The scene starts with Tommy and Devi fondling and kissing each other, and then Devi going down on Tommy. Tommy then puts Devi on the table and begins fingering and eating her out before switching to all out fucking her. Tommy then puts Devi on the kitchen counter and aggressively fingers her. It is at this point that Rose reenters the scene when he does Devi begins riming Rose while Tommy sucks Rose’s cock. The actors switch positions and Devi suck Tommy’s cock while Rose comes on Tommy’s ass. Some more group kissing and roll credits
Fluid: Men had some of the best sex scene I’ve seen and it was the chemistry between the performers that was primarily responsible for this, add to that some insightful interviews and this DVD comes highly, highly recommended.
Disclosure Statement: This DVD was provide free of charge by Good Vibrations Sex Toys in exchange for an Honest Review.
The Travel Jack Master as its name implies is a smaller more travel friendly version of Cal Exotics’s Jack Master. Both the full sized and this smaller version looks very similar in design to the Tenga flip hole. Is this a quality toy or just an unworthy look a like? *cough*its the second one*cough* Read ahead to find out.
The Travel Jack Master (style B)
Design and Dimensions
The jack master is a translucent gray masturbator that is 6” in length, it is oval shaped with it being 3” in wide at its widest point, and it fits men up to 1.75” in girth and weighs 16.5 ounces.
The Jack master has a cap on the top that you remove to access the opening. The toy is hinged so it snaps open for cleaning. On both sides of the toy are four labeled buttons that you push to in to alter the sensation as you use the toy.
Lastly, this is style B their as also a blue style A that appears to have a different internal design.
Internal texture
This toy has the busiest internal texture I’ve used thus far, both sides are completely different. The left side has is a series of octagonal chambers the first three have two large flaps in them each (for a total of six on its length) with the last chamber having a nine little nubs in a 3×3 square. The right starts with another 3 x3 square of ribs only these are wider more oval like protrusions after that there are three bumps which gradual increase in size before you hit the end, this side unlike the left side is straight and not chambered. Note that when considering a toy with as much variation along it texture as this, you should take an honest look at your length as those on the smaller end may miss out on the texture at the end, conversely if you above average and like going balls deep you’re going to be hitting the back.
The travel Jack master (style B)'s internal texture.
Travel
Travel is a bit of subjective term, this toy isn’t as travel friendly as would a true pocket pussy but it is much more suitcase, backpack etc friendly then would then other full-sized masturbator such as the Tenga Flip hole or the Fleshlights. Here is a pic of it next to some other objects so you can get an idea if it meets your definition of travel friendly.
Travel Jackmaster size comparison: From left to right, a full sized Fleshlight, a Fleshlight sex-in-a can, the travel Jack master and a 12oz soda can.
Material: Cleaning and Safety Concerns
The Travel Jack Master’s case is made out of plastic and the internal sleeve is made out of soft squishy phthalates and latex free thermoplastic rubber (TPR). To clean the toy, open it up and wash it out with soap and water. Dry it off and then leave it open to let it finish air drying. TPR is porous and cannot be sterilized so use a condom if sharing. TPR is compatible with water and silicone based lubes and is water-proof if you want to use it in the shower.
Pleasure and Use
At first, the travel Jack Master seemed like a good toy however, as I used some shoddy construction ruined it, but first the good. The toy’s varied textures does mean you can get slightly different sensations depending on which side of the toy is facing up, add this to the four push bottoms and you can vary the sensations to a good degree however other then it travel friendly size that where the good ends. My first problem is that the texture is a little too soft which makes the texture hard to feel I would have preferred a firmer texture however that is personal preference and not a major deal breaker. What is a deal break is that the toy is falling apart.
Firstly, after using it I noticed the strips of plastic that keeps the internal sleeve in place start to come loose, pic below to illustrate. This happens after evey use and they seem to be coming out more and more easily. Then I used it some more and the more vigorous I got with it the more problems I had with it construction. The second problem is that the thing started snapping open during use, this is annoying in the least and at worse you’re going to get some chomping action in a region where chomping action should not occur. This is also a concern if you like having a partner use the toy on you.
The strip holding the internal sleeve in place come off easily during use.
Packaging
The travel Jack Master comes in a white and gray striped card board packaging, the front has a pic of the toy and a few exaggerated promo lines, such as “better then the real thing” (actually, no as the real thing has yet to snap apart mid- session, among many other benefits). The back has a pic of the open toy and a few bullet points about the toy.
The Travel Jack Master style B's Packaging (front)
The Travel Jack Master style B's Packaging (back)
Who is it for?
Given the problems listed above it is hard to recommend this I would only point someone to this if they needed something in this size range and are very gentile on their toys and even then only as a last resort.
Closing Thoughts
I wanted to like the travel Jack master, it is a good concept, and it started out well enough but the combination of a too soft texture, shoddy construction and the fact that a masturbation sleeve should never ever remind me of this, means I can only give it a single star.
The Club Vibe is marketed as a music-controlled vibrating panty, with a unique ambient mode feature. You may be wondering what use does a male have for that? Here is my hypothesis: ditch the panties place the bullet in the base of a bullet compatible butt plug or dildo and viola! We have created a music controlled butt plug or dildo. Did my experiment work? Read ahead for details.
The Club Vibe
Design, Dimensions, and Operation
The toy has three different modes:
1) Manual: Here the vibe acts the same as a standard corded bullet with seven vibration settings. The first three are your standard: Low, Medium, and High continuous settings. The fourth is a strong rapid pulsation, the fifth is an escalating pattern, the sixth is an escalation- double pulse-escalation-double pulse pattern; the final is another pattern of gradually escalating vibration two quick pulse followed by a slow roll and then 2 more pulses.
2) Music: In this mode, the vibrations are controlled by plugging it into a sound source such as your MP3 player, computer etc. A “y” splitter is included so you can still listen to the music as you use it.
3) Ambient: This takes ambient sound and turns it into vibrations.
In terms of look and dimensions, the control pack looks inconspicuous, like a pager or similar device. The control pack measures 3” long x 1.5” wide x .75” thick. On the front are two buttons a circle, which switches between the vibrations when it is on manual mode and an “X” that stops the vibe. Also on the front is the mic , you can tell by the speaker holes, for the ambient mode. On the top of the toy is the jack where the bullet plugs in. The bottom of the toy has the jack for plugging in an MP3 player or other sound source (it comes with a Y splitter so you can listen to your music while using the vibe.) Also on the bottom is a wheel that controls the sound sensitivity for the ambient and music modes, on the left side is the slider that switches between the three modes. Lastly, on the back, there is a belt clip and the battery compartment (use two AAA batteries included).
The bullet itself is about 1 1/8 in length and 5/8 in diameter, with the cord having a length of about 2 1/3 feet.
Materials: Cleaning and Safety Concerns
The bullet is made of phthalate free plastic. You can carefully clean this with soap and water. Since you cannot full sterilize this toy, putting a condom on it if sharing is advised.
Pleasure and Use
Like I said in the intro, I don’t use this as a vibrating panty (wouldn’t fit me anyway). I put it in the base of a bullet compatible butt plug or dildo (after lubing the bullet, if you don’t lube it will be a royal pain to remove) and use it for it unique MP3 and ambient mode functions creating a mp3/ambient noise controlled dildo or butt plug. Before we get to that lets start with using it in manual mode, the vibrations are strong and transmit well. This can be used for normal play by yourself at home with your favorite dildo or plug or to take your in public plug play to a new level and use it with the plug inserted you in public (I use a long shirt help conceal the wires the fyi). However, that can be done with any corded bullet let’s get to the club vibe’s unique features…
Music mode: This is fun. It definitely makes listening to music a new experience. The intensity of the vibrations are controlled not just by beat of the music but also the source sound’s volume level and the sensitivity setting on the club vibe, so there is a bit of learning curve in order to set the sound levels to the right point so that it is vibrating in good synch with the music. Once you figure out how to set the sound levels it works well as both as a tease (example: softer music, lower volume) and to actually take me to orgasm(1) (example: louder more aggressive music). This can be used for naughty in public applications…any passerby will just think you’re just really into the music.
In addition to music, this works with any sound source. For example porn, while it not constant enough to make me orgasm it is a great tease having the vibe go off with each exaggerated porn moan, or if I’m feeling kinkier with each slap, whack, and thud during a BDSM scene. There are a lot of possibilities here is you use your imagination for example, love that actor’s dreamy voice put on the DVD and enjoy their “performance” in a whole me way.
Ambient mode: Putting this in a butt plug, setting it to ambient and going out is a lot of fun, but mostly as a tease. Unfortunately, the sensitivity of this is not as high as I would like it to be even on its highest sensitivity, it takes a lot of noise to set it off so unless you are in a very load place you are only going to get a tease out of this. However, as a tease it works well. You can also use this with voice, if the person is speaking right in front of the receiver like a microphone. In addition, it is strange what does and doesn’t set this off, although this can be a good thing. One weird but good thing that sets this off is the sound of heels on hard flooring. Wearing a butt plug in public, in the presence of the gender you are primarily attracted to no less, is already a highly erotic experience, add getting a little jolt of vibrations every time the women around you walk close to you, very, very naughty.
I only have one compliant other then the low sensitivity in the ambient mode, if you look at the specs this bullet is shorter in length than the silver bullet vibes typical used in plugs and dildos. This means even well lubed I’ve had to wipe out the needle nose pliers to remove this from the base of the toy I was using it with.
Packaging
The club vibe comes in sexy but tasteful cardboard packaging.
The Club Vibe's packaging
Inside you will find the control pack, the bullet itself, black thong panties, an instruction manual, a velvet storage pouch, the Y splitter and two AAA batteries.
What comes in the box
Closing Thoughts
Overall this is a great little product if you into music (music mode) or want a naughty little way to tease yourself (ambient mode). I would give it 4 out of 5, if only the ambient mode were more sensitive, it would get a 5/5. The only other thing I would change is I wish it came with a longer bullet.
Thanks to Good Vibrations for giving me the chance to review this toy.
Most in the sex toy review blogosphere probably know about the banning of Epiphora from EF, for no good reason. Given that EF employees have made not so veiled references to this review . It was taken down but Google cached saves the day, as an aside nothing escapes all seeing Google! Ceiling cat? That is in fact a carefully camouflaged Google cam. Thought you should known. Where was I? Yes let us look at EF and the ever changing definition of useful. Definition of useful for mere mortals.
EF employee #1:
800 words should be plenty for most reviews
EF employee #2:
There is a reason the standard template has a word limit of 800.
ER employee #3:
A single paragraph or 6 lines is fine. If you’re using the regular one, 350-400 words should sum it up well.
Now let look at the “review”, listed above 1231 words when I put it in to word but what is this…. looking at just the words between the title and the first mention of the toy in the review… And what do we get 660. Literally we have to get thought over half of the review before the first mention of the product in the text of the “review”. Totally the same standards, only on-site reviewers are expected to mention the product and review it in near or even under that but totally the same.
But of course that just the blogger “voice” speaking just an “honest” opinion by a real person. Yes because I honestly think let me review the store I brought it from for half of the review of a product that is totally how I honestly review. I totally believe 660 words all positive about the store sponsoring the “review” was an honest manifestation of their voice. I mean just the other day a friend asked me how was the movie Avatar and I went on for 50 minutes about how great the theater chain was. Or yesterday when someone asked me who was eliminated on Top Chef master and I e-mailed a 1000 word essay on how wonderful the representations of gay characters on the Bravo network is before adding it was Jody Adams. Just an expression of my individuality.
However this wonderful expression of individuality, that sounds oddly like a PR release, has a down side…it clear what is on the horizon… a dark force know as the Momma Nazi. You see while separate now it is only matter before the Review Nazi and the Mommy Blogger merge and into one hybrid horror. This unstoppable force will write ten page reviews the first 5 pages of which will be giving EF the electronic equivalent of a long hands-free, deep throat, blowjob followed by 5 pages of detail products schematics, the schematics will be so details manufactures will E-mail her when they want to know about their own product. The review will end with one sentence: “and oh it can make you cum too”. EF will deny any responsibility for creating the Mamma Nazi.
The Mamma Nazi’s reviews will be written in a layout and format that will cause massive ocular pain to all who witness it. Thousands will be sent to the ophthalmologist for treatment, this review shall be ranked “extremely useful” by all Edenfantasys staff, as causing physical pain is totally an irrelevant factor in evaluating the usefulness of an object. (Also rating your own marketing gimmick up… classy.) Just as formatting is never a consideration in any assignment or media, which is why style guides never mention these things. I mean if their child got a bad grade because the teacher couldn’t read what they wrote I’m totally sure they would march right in to that evil English teachers office and shout layout has “no bearing on the quality” of my child’s work change child’s grade immediately!
After conducting extensive researchers, scientists will see the correlation between sudden eye problems and EF causing them to reverse their previous conclusion and determine that masturbation does in fact lead to blindness. All sex shops shall be shut down and masturbation will be labeled a threat to public health. Behold the dark future that awaits!
Or
Maybe instead of my Mamma Nazi apocalypse scenario EF could cut the fuck bullshit and stop trying to pretend that a company review is the same as a product review…no wait I take that back that a company’s promotional gimmick is the same as an honest review. You see a company review has the chance to be negative; somehow I doubt that I will ever see an “honest “ review of this type end with but “GoodVibrations is totes better” or have a section labeled “Cons :rips off sex bloggers.” You see I’m an adult I can handle you want to make money, I really can I can handle you recruiting mommy bloggers to sever as publicity vehicles it actually seems like a good idea. Really, I like you I wrote this up this morning while winning one of your twitter contests.
What I can’t handle is you apparently thinking that I’m dumb enough not to see the differences. That I’m not smart enough to see that mommy bloggers (not off site reviewers, I’m an offsite reviewer I could never write a review that doesn’t mention a product for half its length and get useful votes) are held to different standards then the rest of us. What I can’t handle is you having the nerve to criticize review that have too many detail and are too clinical about the product, yet voting up a “review” where half of the information has NOTHING to do with the product. You rightful don’t let people vote on their own reviews yet you can vote on your own marketing scheme and have the audacity to act like you are giving an honest unbiased assessment of how useful you find the review to be. What I can’t handle that you accuse people of being cliquish and unwelcoming because we saw through your PR bull.
I can even handle you banning Epiphora her bluntness hurt your bottom line, bottom line is all the matters, I’m an adult I get that. I can handle you announcing it publicly what I can’t hand is you doing it in a needless insulting manner including insinuating that she doesn’t care about the sex toy community at all. You could have given a simple “this is our new PR strategy, we would like your cooperation by” instead of trying to pass marketing as community building. You could have announced Epiphora’s banning in an objective manner instead you needlessly shamed; all under the guise of being positive.
You’re an adult store, a business, it’s nice to pretend you’re all high minded but you’re not and your starting to push willing suspension of disbelief to its limits on this one. So please stop insulting my intelligence by think your marketing speak and logical fallacies are going to work on me. Logical fallacies hmmm… the last time I started listing those was when I learned that some prostitutes do in fact deserve the pejorative of whore. I guess that what I’m asking are you EF staff are you a bunch of prostitute (out for the money, but provides a good honest service, good people, if there was some short of prostitute review program I’d totally join that) or just a whores (see wolf in sheep clothing).
Mkay thanks. I’m going to masturbate to that lovely biporn I got from Good vibrations “the sex shops that treats me like an actual adult” now. O look there’s that Google cam disguised as a cat again.
P.S.: This is not to say that all mommy blogger are bad look here is a mommy blog: and look I can tell what the product being reviewed is with out having to scroll through half its length also I’m not in actual physical pain. Amazing! But thank you Edenfantasys for showing me the real meaning of useful, I will now call Roger Ebert and ask why his reviews gasp discusses the move for the majority of its length, I mean why doesn’t he spend all that time discussing how great the newspaper is, first ?
The Inspire is a wand style massager by Cal Exotics that is powerful, lightweight, and easy to use. However, what really makes this toy unique and worth your money is that it has a removable silicone cap that gives this an out of the box hygiene advantage not seen in other massagers. Read ahead for all the details.
The Couture Collection Inspire by Cal Exotics
Materials: Cleaning and Safety Concerns
The toy is made out of two materials: the removable cap is made out of pure silicone(1) Pure silicone is non-porous, hypoallergenic, and free of latex or phthalates. Since the cap is removable, you can subject it to any sanitization or sterilizing method you want. Sanitization can be achieved via brief boiling, submerging it in a ten percent bleach solution, or putting it in your dishwasher on the top rack without soap. For sterilization put the cap in your pressure cooker (15 PSI) for 20 minutes, or use an autoclave if you have access to one. Silicone can be damaged if used with silicone lubes so only use a water based lube with this toy, also be careful with lube as the toy is not water proof. Just a reminder the preceding section only applies to the removable cap, subjecting the rest of the toy to these methods (except a careful cleaning with the 10% bleach solution) will destroy your toy.
The rest of the toy is made out of non-porous ABS plastic, which is also free of latex or phthalates. To clean the rest of the toy carefully clean it with damp cloth; remember the toy is not waterproof when you are cleaning it. For a more thorough cleaning, you can very carefully clean it using a 10 percent bleach solution.
Design, Dimensions, and Operation
The toy is a total of 7.5 inches in length and the flexible head has a diameter of 1.5”. The toy tapers down from its head to it tip giving the toy a sleek appearance and makes it easier to grip. The cord is a generous eight feet in length, there is a box at the end of the cord, which may be annoying for some users, as it would block the slot next to it on a horizontal power strip. The cord is detachable and plugs into the bottom of the base. This detachability means the massager itself is easy to put in your nightstand while leaving the cord plugged in; this may be useful if you find it annoying to plug/unplug a toy each time as you can leave the cord plugged in and merely plug/unplug the massager itself from the cord. Note although the cord is detachable this is not a rechargeable massager it will only work plugged in. Also note that like any corded massager it is not waterproof so keep it away from water, even the best orgasm isn’t worth electrocution.
To operate plug the cord into the base of the toy, a red led on the front of the toy will light up letting you know the toy is ready to go. To turn the toy on just press the power button. To increase the vibration intensity hold down the power button, to turn it off press the power button again. If you want to lower the vibrations, you have to turn the toy off and start the process over again. Keep in mind that these type of massagers are vulnerable to overheating and that you should not use this toy for more the 20 minutes at a time. Also, watch for overheating if using this under a lot of sheets or pillows or any similar situation.
Lastly what really sets this toy apart as mentioned above is that the toy’s head is removable giving it a out of the box hygiene advantage most massagers don’t have. To remove the cap just pull on the on it and it should come off with ease. Note that there is a seem where the silicone cap meets the lower plastic portion of the ball head, this wasn’t a problem for me however this seam may bother you if you heavily use the side as opposed to the top of the massager.
The Inspire's removable cap allows you to clean and sterilizes it separately from the rest of the massager.
Pleasure and Use
To start the vibration on this toy are powerful, on it highest it is comparable to the Hitachi on high, both and power and in buzzy-ness of vibrations. However, it is adjustable so most users should be able to find a setting that works for them. The toy becomes louder as you increase in vibration strength, on it highest you would be able to hear this through a locked door, so this is not the toy you want if you require discreteness.
The toy is easy to use thanks to its one button operation. However, this design also has a down side. I sometimes like to turn the vibration down as I approach orgasm in order to prolong the experience, however turning it down is a little clumsy with this toy, as you have to turn it off and restart start from its lowest setting. Although if you like to start slow and build up, this one button system works well. The one button system also has the benefit of being easy to press mid-use while being difficult to press accidentally.
The toy small size and lightweight makes it easier to maneuver, then many massagers which makes it very easy to reach your intended spots, it also makes it easy to use during partner play. The small size is also a beneficial for how I use wand massagers as a male. I have learned that using vibrators on certain points of my anatomy specifically the cockhead, but also nipples, anus, and premium, can produces non-ejaculatory orgasms while vibration on my cock shaft produce ejaculatory orgasms. The vibrations concentrated on a small surface area work well in reaching and stimulating all the intended stops in the desired manner. I also bring this up to illustrate that one should experiment when it comes with wand style massagers, it may surprise you just how inspirational it can be . On a similar note, also keep in mind that being a massager it can be used to massage all your non-naughty body part as well (great for foreplay and warm up).
Comparison to other massagers
Any wand style massager is going to inevitably be compared to the legendarily Hitachi, so here is a quick comparison between the Inspire and other massagers. Firstly, the Inspire is much smaller and lighter than the Hitachi and most other wand style massagers (although there are others in this size range such as the Fairy Mini-Mini) Here is a photo of it next to the Hitachi to illustrate.
The Inspire next to the Hitachi
In term of power, it compares to the Hitachi in overall strength. However if you want the most power, the Wahl and its pounding high setting has it beat, as the does the full sized Fairy Wand if you want something in traditional wand shape. What makes the inspire unique however is the removable silicone head, a feature I cannot find in another massager (the Mystic Wand has a silicone head but it’s not removable so you can’t sterilize it via boiling as you can with the removable cap of the Inspire). Although you can buy a removable silicone, cap for full sized massagers such as the Hitachi. The Inspire’s sleek design and pleasing lavender and purple color scheme also make this toy much sexier and less intimidating then it bigger brethren.
Lastly, this little beauty is more expensive than the other massagers listed however, the Inspire remains an excellent value when you consider its power and its removable silicone cap. To put it in to perspective the cost for a Hitachi and the silicone Pleasure Dome Cap is roughly the same as the Inspire.
Packaging
The toy comes in a tasteful cardboard packaging. The top of the packaging will have a picture of the vibe on it along with some raised lettering and water design (which I know looks cool but kind of sends the wrong impression, as you again want to keep this toy away from water). On the back is another picture of the vibe along with some more point about the toy and instructions on it use. Anyone knowledgeable about what a massagers off-label use is will figure out what it for but anyone who is still living under a rock will just think you have some muscle ache you want to take care of. The packaging although not the best could be used to store the toy again if you wished.
The Inspire's Packaging
Who is it for?
I’d recommend this toy to most users although there are two groups I would especially recommend it to. Firstly, anyone who wants the best in terms of hygiene and safety should pick this up due to it removable silicone head. Secondly, anyone who wants a powerful wand massager without the size and bulk of something like the Hitachi.
Closing Thoughts
Overall this is an excellent massager and it silicone head gives it an edge of other massagers. To put it in perceptive I plug my massagers in to a three-outlet extension cord, which means I can only have three massagers on “active duty” at a time (and I do often use more than one vibrator at a time). This has bumped the Hitachi from it number three stop and off active duty.
Disclosure Statement: This toy was provided free of charge by Edenfantasys in exchange for an honest review.
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The G-Swirl is a Good Vibrations exclusive (made for them by Fun Factory) that is worth your money. It has good vibration strength, is easy to use, is curved to reach those lovely P and G spots, and has a flare at the bottom that makes it safe for anal use. It does have a major flaw its battery compartment, which is difficult to open. Read ahead for all the details.
The G-Swirl Vibrator
Design, Dimensions, and Operation
The G-swirl has a total length of 6.5” of which about 4.0” is insertable and is 1.5 inches in diameter at the widest insertable point. The toy starts with a curved point leading to a series of ridges down the shaft. At the bottom of the insertable portion is a flared base about 2.5” inches wide, this flare has a ribbed pattern given it a pleasing visual appearance. Below this flare is the plastic battery compartment/control portion of the vibe. Here is where I find the toy’s biggest flaw the battery compartment is hard to open, to open it you are supposed to press down on the two sides of the toy to pop the base open, this harder to do then it sounds. There are two finger guides; however, they are a bit misleading as to open it you have to press down in just the right spot (picture below).
G-Swirl Battery Compartment (the box indicates the area that must be pushed to open it)
Once I found out this sweet spot it was much easier to open, it was still however a little tricky. Keep this in mind if you have any type of trouble in your hands or finger because opening the case might give you a lot of trouble. Once you open it, the toy takes two AA batteries (included). At the bottom of the toy is a dial that controls the vibration intensity. Instead of being flat with the wheel on the bottom like most toys, this toy has the dial wheel placed on a 45-degree angle making it easier to use. To operate just turn the scroll wheel in either direction and the vibe will turn on and increase in intensity, until it clicks when it reaches its highest setting continue after that and you can feel it start to drop off and then turn off. The toy is splash resistant so you can clean it without worrying about water getting in to the battery compartment, but make sure not to submerge it.
Lastly, the toy is available in multiple colors: Black, Raspberry, Dark Blue (pictured), Purple, Baby blue, or Candy Pink
Materials: Cleaning and Safety Concerns
The base of the toy is plastic with the insertable portion of the toy being pure silicone. Pure silicone is non-porous, hypoallergenic, and free of latex or phthalates. To clean the toy use soap and water or a toy cleaner (although the toy is splash resistant still be careful not to get any water in the battery compartment). For a more thorough cleaning, you could also carefully wipe it with a ten percent bleach solution. Since you can’t subject this toy (due to its motor) to boiling for more through sterilization use a condom if sharing, (or if going from anal to vaginal use). Silicone lubes can have a bonding reaction with silicone toys so either only use water based lubes with this toy or do a test patch of silicone lubes on the bottom of the insertable end of the toy. If you really want to use silicone lubes you can also put a condom on it and use silicone lube on the condom.
Pleasure and Use
Inserting the toy is easy as it starts smaller than its full diameter and increases in girth with each ridge until it reaches its widest diameter. The ridges are noticeable and pleasurable as you insert it. Once inserted the toy is short but since it is designed for P/G-spot stimulation it should suffice for most users and it was able to effectively hit the P-spot for me; however do keep in mind what length typically works for works for you when selecting this toy. Secondly, the toy has a good amount of give so if you need really firm prostate or G-spot stimulation this toy is going to fall short although not the same as super firm prostate stimulation this did work well for me.
The vibration strength was fairly strong nothing mind blowing but defiantly strong enough to get the job done for me. I like the design of the dial wheel the placement makes it much easier to use then most dials and I can use it one handed as long as my hands are not too slippery with lube. Although it “locks” when on its highest setting, it may take some practice to stop turning the dial when it hits high as to not accidently turn off the toy.
A final note if you prefer patterns or want a toy that is completely waterproof toy you should check out the: G-twist Smartvibes or the G-Swirl Smartvibes which are water proof and have patterns to chose from, the G-twist Smartvibes is also longer if you want something with length.
Packaging
The toy comes in an extremely cool packaging. The box is baby blue with orange lettering. On the front is a clear window letting you get a clear view of the toy. On the back is a magnetic flap, open it up and you will be treated to some bullet points about the toy on one flap and a bulleted list on the benefits of silicone on the other, open that flap and you will find another plastic window allowing you to see the other side of the toy if you wish. The packaging is tasteful and highly informative about the toy inside although being see through is obviously not very discreet. It is not designed for storage but since you don’t have to destroy it to open it, there is no reason you couldn’t put the toy back in the packaging if you wished. The toy comes complete with two AA batteries and a packet of lube so you’re good to go, right out of the box.
The G-Swirl's Packaging
Closing Thoughts
Overall, this is a good vibe that is worth your money, there are a few cons to keep in mind but no major deal breakers. I especially like this is one of the few vibes that go the extra mile of adding a flare at the bottom of the insertable portion making it completely safe for anal.
Disclosure Statement: This toy was provided free of charge by Good Vibrations Sex Toys in exchange for an honest Review
). EF is simply the quickest means to an end. However I feel need to point out EF styles it self as more then a means to an ends it styles it self as being an open and honest sex positive community and I find that to be bullshit. Although EF’s sins aren’t so egregious as for me to boycott them completely (they have yet to help put a bounty on the heads of sex workers unlike a certain other online magazine) They are enough that I felt the need to write the this post and have it stated for the record that I find the calm that EF is an open honest, transparent, community to be bullshit. The below will explain why I find that claim to be bull, if they don’t feel the need to ban me after I say my peace I will speak no more of this and continue working with them (unless they pull more bullshit). While only the tip of the iceberg ,
