Category: vibrator

Pocket Pulse by Hot Octopuss

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Right before Christmas last year my friends over at Hot Octopuss managed to sneak in an all new product launch, and they were kind enough to send me one to review, so let’s go take a look at it.

The Pocket Pulse marks the fourth product in Hot Octopuss’s line of Pulse guybrators, and also the first one to depart from the established design.

It may look different, but there’s actually something deeper going on behind the smaller size and reshaped shell, because the Pocket Pulse doesn’t employ the patented Pulse Plate technology found in the other models.
So what exactly is the Pocket Pulse then? Well the Pocket Pulse functions similarly to other Pulse models, but rather than incorporating the Pulse’s signature oscillations it includes two standard vibrating motors, and in turn it’s intended to be used somewhat differently. 
What was unique about the Pulse was its “no thrust” approach to male stimulation, but the Pocket Pulse is designed to be used in a more traditional fashion, which should appeal to any guy out there who really enjoys the mechanical action associated with sex and masturbation.  
The Pocket Pulse is also 30% cheaper than the Pulse III, making it all the more worth investigating. 
The first thing I like about the Pocket Pulse is the size. It’s so much lighter and more compact, and it nestles so comfortably in the palm of your hand. It’s the sort of thing you could think about travelling with, as well as having a place in your bedside drawer. 
The other thing I quite like is the newly designed enclosure, which replaces the two wings from before with a single arm. This makes it easier to get in and out of the device, though it still doesn’t help too much for anyone who has a wide shaft. I found that in order to accommodate my girth the whole product would twist into the 2 o’clock position, and the left side of the shaft would protrude from the gap in the arm. This was mildly inconvenient but didn’t prevent the product from functioning. 
The Pocket Pulse has two buttons to operate it, one located on each side of the body. A silver [+] turns on the device and increases the vibration strength, while a silver [-] decreases the power of the vibrations and turns the device off once more. 
What’s interesting about the vibrations is that they don’t appear to have any sort of focal point on the surface of the toy. There’s a raised section inside the channel which mimics the appearance of the Pulse Plate from the other models, and which you would assume is intended to be the main source of the vibrations, but in fact it’s not. The vibrations seem to emanate from inside the body of the toy and make the entire thing vibrate equally. You feel as much vibration from the exterior section which you’re holding with your hand, as you do from the interior where your penis is, which I can’t help but find a little strange. 
There are seven vibration levels in total, with the least powerful one feeling the most rumbly, and the strongest one bordering on being quite buzzy. They feel distinctly different to the oscillations of traditional Pulse, far more so than I would have expected.

In terms of use you really do have to follow the directions with the Pocket Pulse. Out of sheer curiosity I initially tried using it in a stationary fashion à la the Pulse III and had little luck. When you do use it correctly, however, it actually works fairly well. What’s nice is that you can start using it in a flaccid state if you’re not already aroused, and allow the vibrations and motion to gently coax you along. They do recommend using lube with it, but I found that the silicone arm managed to snag onto my foreskin, allowing the head of the penis to slip in and out of it just as it would were I using my hand. The fact that I was able to do this also helped to mitigate some of the tightness I was feeling as my penis bulged out of the channel.
The vibrations did feel good during use, and complemented the overall experience, but I couldn’t help but feel that it was the manual thrusting that was doing most of the stimulation, and the vibrations were more of a sideshow, like a little added titillation to push you over the edge. It was that revelation which made me think that perhaps enough thought hadn’t gone into that aspect of the design. If I were to rank what I most wanted to thrust my penis into, my hand, a Fleshlight, or the Pocket Pulse, then the Pocket Pulse would ultimately come last. A firm silicone shell just isn’t ideal for a thrusting toy,  which becomes an issue when the stimulation seems to primarily come from the thrusting.
One question which always comes up with the Pulses is the noise level, because the original models are not discreet at all, something I’d come to accept as just being a side effect of the unique Pulse Plate technology. What surprised me here is just how noisy the Pocket Pulse is too. I really thought that using traditional vibrating motors they’d be able to reduce the level significantly, but that’s not the case at all. The problem I have in this instance is that it’s hard to make an excuse for the noise. With the other models you at least knew that you were getting this intense level of power along with all the racket, but with the Pocket Pulse there’s more noise than there is sensation.
The Pocket Pulse honestly is a confusing toy for me, because fundamentally I don’t know what it’s trying to be, and therefore what I should pull it up on. If we consider it as a vibrator then it’s not a particularly great vibrator because the vibrations are so unfocussed that you have to thrust with it to make it work, and then you get more stimulation from the thrusting action. If it’s a manual stroker then it’s not a great stroker either because the thrusting sensation doesn’t feel as good as other products on the market, or even your hand. If you take it just at face value, as this slightly conflicted product in a category all of its own, then yes, it does work, but it’s certainly not amazing. It manages to take two different concepts for masturbation, which can both work fantastically in their own right, and combines them to create something which works less well on both fronts.

To me the whole design seems to be a result of too many compromises. I love the smaller size, and the whole idea of a compact Pulse, but that seems to have come at the cost of its effectiveness as a vibrating toy. It’s simply not enough to then say that the solution is to make it a thrusting toy too, especially if you’re going to use the same design element from a toy that was never built with thrusting in mind. There’s absolutely no reason why a two-in-one thrusting and vibrating toy couldn’t work, but I think this proves that it’s not such a simple matter.

The one type of person for whom I think the Pocket Pulse could work well is anyone who enjoyed the Rocks Off Hand Solo, because that incorporates a similar combination of multi-directional vibrations with an open-faced firm silicone sleeve. From my perspective though, I feel that the central channel could benefit significantly from a rethink, incorporating softer flesh-like materials which you’d actually want to thrust with, as well as trying to make those vibrations more targetted.

I do admire Hot Octopuss for what they’re attempting to do with revolutionising male sex toys, but for me this one is a bit of a swing and miss. If you’re looking for a truly great experience with a vibrating/oscillating masturbator, then you’re far better off spending a little more on a Pulse III and getting the real deal – this is Hot Octopuss at their very best. If you primarily want a stroker for that traditional male masturbation experience, then there’s a whole world of Fleshjacks and Tengas out there which will blow your mind.

The Pocket Pulse is by no means a terrible product, it’s just kind of mediocre, and mediocre with a £70 price tag, which makes it hard to justify to anyone. I got some enjoyment out of it in the process of multiple rounds of testing, but the crux of the matter is that I honestly can’t see myself ever reaching to use it again. 

Thanks to Hot Octopuss for sending me this to review, and you can find it on their website. 

Je Joue Classic Bullet Vibe

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Now that Autumn seems firmly upon us, I hope everyone had a great Summer and made the most of whatever good weather there was. This month Je Joue have launched a trio of exciting new bullet vibes, and they reached out to me to see if I’d like to review one. I’m always keen to support companies that hail from right here in the land of tea and crumpets, so naturally I said yes, and you can catch the review below!

Je Joue has been around since 2008, and despite them being a British company this is actually my first time reviewing one of their products, so it’s one of those rare reviews where I start off with no preconceptions.
Their new range of bullets consists of the Classic, the G-Spot, and the Rabbit, and their names more or less tell you what you need to know about them. I opted for the Classic as it seemed the most appropriate for my uses. The G-Spot has a similar design, but a little longer and with an angled tip for insertion, but not really anal-safe, while the Rabbit has two little “ears” at the top, similar to a design I’ve enjoyed in the Jimmy Jane Form 2.
Probably the first thing worth noting about the Classic is that it’s a little bigger than your typical bullet vibes, such as the RO-80mm from Rocks Off, or the We-Vibe Tango, so it’s not going to be fitting inside the bullet holes of any of your toys. This does limit its applications somewhat, but if you find those vibes a little fiddly in your hands then then added size here could help.
The basic design of the Classic is pretty much what you’d expect from a bullet, although it does slightly remind me of a half-smoked cigar, with its extra girth and contrasting flat and tapered ends. One nice feature about the Classic is that the hard plastic body is covered with a plush velvety silicone with a matte finish. The entire tapered end appears to be made from this silicone, with the plastic body not extending into it, which gives a nice squishy tip to it. At the very end of the vibe a silicone flap conceals a USB charging port, and when it’s in place the bullet is completely waterproof. 
The Classic has five speeds and seven different patterns to choose from, and these are selected with three buttons on the side of the bullet, positioned near to the base. Holding the (+) button turns on the bullet, and each subsequent press increases the power, while pressing the (-) decreases the power, and holding it turns the bullet off again. A button marked (S) is used to cycle through the patterns. 
At its lowest setting the Classic feels quite rumbly, and when you press it against the body you can feel the vibrations penetrating deeply. As you start to increase the power, however, the story changes. As the strength of the vibrations becomes more intense, they also become more buzzy, and that deep penetrating vibration becomes a shallow surface sensation. It’s definitely a powerful vibrator, it’s just not powerful in the way that I’d like it. As someone who enjoys using vibrators on the penis, I find a deep rumbly vibration that penetrates into the tissue much more satisfying than vibrations which only tickle the surface skin, so this did dash my hopes a little. 
The patterns consist of a few different sequences of pulses going at various speeds, combined with a couple where the intensity of the vibrations gradually ramps up and down, and these are always fun to play around with. I’d call these the tried and tested vibration patterns, as it seems to be the ones you encounter most often, with nothing too out of the ordinary.
In all of its modes the Classic remains pretty quiet, which is always a bonus. It’s not going to draw the attention of anyone on the other side of a door or thin partition wall, so you can use it quite discreetly.
In terms of use the Classic is a good little vibrator, and very enjoyable, despite not being as rumbly as I’d like. The soft matte silicone felt very comfortable against the skin, and glided smoothly against it, allowing for a manual stimulation of the frenulum in conjunction with the vibrations. I found that this technique worked well with the bullet on constant at the lowest power setting, and felt quite pleasurable, but it also felt satisfying to hold the bullet stationary and experiment with the patterns at a higher intensity level, as this produced a broader spectrum of sensations. As the power ramps up with each pulse it goes through the full range of that low rumble through to the strong buzz, so you get a little taste of everything, and that uniqueness certainly helps to make up for its other shortcomings. Although at times I did find myself craving more of that rumbly power that I get from some of my other vibrators, I had no trouble climaxing with the Je Joue Classic, it just felt a little more drawn out.
The big question for this review, really, is whether or not I’d recommend this bullet, and for that I have to bring out the We-Vibe Tango, because the Tango has become the benchmark against which I judge all bullets. In a market that’s saturated with a wide array of different vibrators, it’s imperative to compare and contrast what you’re getting at any given price point. The Je Joue Classic retails for around £45 – £50, depending on where you’re shopping, which puts it in direct competition with the Tango, which is available for £50 – £55, and this I feel is where the problem lies. By itself the Classic is a good enough vibrator, it’s waterproof, it’s rechargeable, it offers a selection of different patterns, but at the end of the day it’s no Tango. It simply lacks that sheer deep rumbling power that the Tango puts out, and for the sake of £5 the Tango would be the one you’d want to go for every time. As much as I’d like to tell you to go out and support a British brand, if you’re looking to squeeze out every last bang for your buck, then I’m afraid this isn’t the bullet.
Many thanks to Je Joue for sending me the Classic to review. It’s available from SheVibe.

Pulse III Solo

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Happy New Year to all my lovely readers, and what better way to kick off 2017 than with a brand new review for everybody’s favourite ‘guybrator’ manufacturer, and XBIZ Award-winning Boutique Pleasure Products Company of the Year, Hot Octopuss!

Sticking to what seems to be their two-year development cycle, the guys at Hot Octopuss have just launched the third iteration of their much acclaimed Pulse, and they’ve kindly sent over a Pulse III Solo for me to test out. So, without any further ado…

The original Pulse first launched back in 2013, as a challenger to then market leader in male vibrators, the Cobre Libre by Fun Factory, and it quickly became one of my favourite toys. The following year, reinforcing that competition drives innovation, we were treated to Fun Factory’s answer in the form of the revamped Cobra Libre II, and then only months later Hot Octopuss returned to us with their line up of new Pulse II models. I remarked back then that 2015 was a good year to own a penis, and indeed it was, but two years down the line the question is what new heights are Hot Octopuss about to take us to with the Pulse III? I know I’m excited to find out.

The Pulse III builds directly on the advancements of its immediate predecessor, the Pulse II, and represents a straight evolution of the original concept, though this time the change is far less of a leap than from the Pulse to the Pulse II.

The biggest shake up in the previous generation was that it introduced separate “Solo” and “Duo” models aimed at slightly different markets, and the Pulse III maintains this distinction. The original Pulse offered multifunctionality aimed at couples play, while still primarily being a toy for the man, and it did this by offering a secondary point of vibration which could stimulate a female partner during use. The Duo models represent the point of continuity with this concept and are most consistent with the original design, while the Solo units have dispensed with this aspect altogether, instead moving towards a focus solely on individual pleasure.

Today I’m going to be once again looking at the Solo version of the latest Pulse, which has the welcome advantage of being slightly less expensive than the Duo. I’m pleased that they’re maintained this divergence in the design, because who wants to be paying for a feature they won’t be using?

So what exactly is the Pulse III Solo? I’ve been speaking so far with the assumption that everyone has read one of my earlier reviews and has a general understanding of the nature of these products, but for the benefit of those coming to this afresh. The Pulse is a vibrating male masturbatory aid, or a ‘Guybrator’ to use the term they’ve coined, and it’s one of the very very few vibrators aimed specifically at men. It differs from nearly all other male masturbators on the market, such as your Fleshjacks and Tengas, because it takes the conventional thinking about how men get off and turns it on its head. Most male sex toys aim to replicate the natural sexual experience as closely as possible, that is they involve the penis being thrust inside something in order to stimulate it to the point of orgasm. The Pulse on the other hand requires absolutely no motion on the part of the user, and brings him to climax via the use of powerful vibrations targeted directly at the most sensitive part of the penis. For any man who’s experienced the joys of vibrator use before then it probably doesn’t seem that revolutionary, but within the realm of male sex toys it really is.

The design of the Pulse III closely follows on from the Pulse II, employing the same shape and the same materials, and with no notable difference in the size. Unfortunately that does mean that it maintains Pulse II’s smaller opening into which you place your penis, compared to the original model, which is something I’ll come back to. The central channel is where the “Pulse Plate” lies, and this is the piece of technology which produces the vibrations, or to be more accurate, the oscillations. It’s strategically located to make contact with the sensitive underside of the penis, where the nerve-rich frenulum is located. The channel isn’t entirely enclosed, and is flanked by two flexible silicone “wings” which adapt to accommodate the size of penis placed between them. It’s quite a stylish toy on the whole, and it’s well made from quality body-safe materials such as silicone and ABS plastic.
To use the Pulse III you first begin by inserting your penis into the channel, and what’s quite beautiful about the whole way the product is engineered is that doesn’t really matter what state your penis is in, be it hard or soft, circumcised or intact, with the foreskin retracted or not. It’s functional in all situations, which is beneficial to anyone who might suffer from erectile dysfunction or a tight foreskin, for example, which limits their ability to use other toys, or be intimate with a partner. One thing that does carry over from the Pulse II is that the channel is still on the smaller side, and that bodes less well for more endowed men, specifically men with more girth, or in this case a wider penis. The flexible silicone wings feel noticeably snug around the penis, and they have the same problem as in the first two models, whereby they’re only flexible in their top half. I’m going to briefly quote myself as explanation. 

One thing I did notice though is that the “wings” are flexible mainly at the top half, and not towards the bottom, so while the top section can become almost infinitely wider the bottom of the channel always retains the same semi-circular shape. Where this could cause an issue is that most penises don’t have a completely circular cross-section and are wider from left to right than from top to bottom, so depending on the size and shape of the penis you may find that once inserted to the fullest extent the shaft may hover above the Pulse Plate without actually making direct contact. This probably won’t be an issue for most people, but if your penis is very wide in one direction, and not so much in the other, then it’s worth bearing in mind.

Like many I happen to have a penis which is wider in one axis than the other, and the narrower channel does exacerbate the issue of flexibility with the wings. Instead of my penis lying completely level and flat along the channel, the pressure from the wings causes it to twist to try to conform with the narrow space, breaking optimal alignment with the Pulse Plate. The only way to really deal with this is to manually push the head of my penis down into the Pulse Plate and hold it in place, which works but which isn’t ideal if you were going for a hands-free experience. From my experience this size of channel is less than optimal, but again perhaps there’s some evidence which shows it’s more suited to the penis size of a greater number of people, and it’s not enough to be a deal-breaker either way. 

To turn the Pulse III on you hold down the button on the left hand side and it jumps into a constant vibration mode at its lowest intensity. It’s a very powerful deep rumbly vibration, and from here you can either adjust the strength of the intensity using the  + and – buttons on the right hand side of the Pulse, or as with the Pulse II you can cycle through 5 different vibration patterns by pressing the power button. There’s also a brand new “Turbo Function” whereby you can skip directly to the most powerful vibration setting. The strength of the vibrations is truly impressive; they penetrate deep into the shaft and can be felt all the way down to the pubic bone, and they even have the effect of making the penis appear blurry at times because the whole organ itself begins to vibrate. This “total vibration” is one of the most unique features of the Pulse III, because although the vibrations are being applied directly at the frenulum, they don’t simply feel localised here, but can be felt all over. Feeling every inch of your penis vibrating is fascinating, and entirely new, not to mention intensely pleasurable. It’s miles away from conventional masturbation, and it’s this whole new world of sensation which makes it all the more interesting. What really makes it special though is the patterns; the ability to experience a good rhythm of vibrations takes the experience to another level, and you have a choice of slow or faster, as well as a couple of more elaborate patterns. Because the vibrations from the Pulse are so strong it does run the risk of overwhelming you at times – especially as the Pulse III is now 25% more powerful – so if you want a long drawn out session of pleasure, then you have to be careful that it doesn’t push you over the edge too soon. If you do manage to get it just right, and have an extended period of foreplay with the toy, then the orgasm that it rewards you with is quite explosive at the end, and definitely worth it. 

The one major drawback of the toy is the noise. It’s not a subtle device at all, and that could be problematic for a lot of people. It sounds like a little lawnmower engine chugging away, and is liable to rouse suspicion if you live in close quarters with others. I know I’d have trouble relaxing if I was using it and I knew there was someone on the other side of a thin partition wall. The noise has been an ongoing issue with the Pulse since the very start, and frankly it’s a little disappointing that it’s not something they’ve been able to address. It was easy to overlook in the very first model, less so in the Pulse II, but by the third generation it’s hard to excuse.

Another point I do want to raise about the Pulse III is regarding the buttons. They’re smaller than on the original Pulse, and much stiffer too, which can make them awkward to push. The upside is that they’re less likely to go off in your luggage, but they can be a struggle to operate while your penis is in the device, and this goes doubly if your penis doesn’t quite fit in it properly and you’re already using one hand to secure it in the right position. I mostly raise this with the thought of people with dexterity issues, however, because for everything the Pulse does to aid those who struggle sexually the buttons could trip them up.

The Pulse III is a fully rechargeable toy and it comes with a USB cable which now clips onto a magnetic charging port at the rear. This is a really convenient feature and a welcome upgrade, and the other advantage is that it’s 100% waterproof, which makes it far easier to clean afterwards. 
I have to say that on the whole the Pulse III feels like a huge leap forward compared to the original Pulse, but only a relatively minor step up from the Pulse II, and therein lies the dilemma. I’m impressed by how the guys at Hot Octopuss keep on working to improve their device, perfecting it a little more each time, but you have to wonder who it’s aimed at. If you don’t already have a Pulse, then I wholeheartedly recommend that you buy the Pulse III. If you own an Original Pulse, then the Pulse III is well worth the upgrade. If you have the Pulse II, however, I honestly can’t say that there’s enough there to justify buying a new one. The Pulse III is more like a Pulse 2.5 in this regard, it tinkers around the edges, but there’s nothing added which you absolutely need to have. It’s not like a smartphone where there’s a genuine incentive to make the transition every time.

The Pulse III is once again a more polished device, and I love the strong vibrations and exciting patterns it offers. I definitely think that every guy should try one. My only caveat would still be to guys with a thicker (wider) penis, because if the original Pulse or Pulse II felt too snug for you then the Pulse III will only maintain that frustration. 

Thanks to Hot Octopuss for providing me with the Pulse III Solo to review, and you can buy it directly from them, as well as any of the fine retailers I have links to on my blog, Including SheVibe, Lovehoney UK, Bondara, and Lovehoney U.S.

The Don by Doxy (AKA the Doxy Skittle)

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A couple of weeks ago I received a message from William, one of the owners of Doxy, the British company behind the award-winning Doxy Wand, asking me if I’d be interested in trying out their newest product the Doxy Skittle*. I haven’t yet had the opportunity to test out their signature massage wand, but having heard many a voice in the blogosphere rave about it, naturally I was eager to get my hands on their latest creation. 
You can find out what I made of it below.

Update: The Doxy Skittle was rebranded as the Don by Doxy in 2016, following a trademark dispute with Wrigley over the name, but it remains the same product. I took this opportunity to revisit the Don and have included some subsequent thoughts.

The Doxy Skittle is possibly one of the most unusual-looking sex toys I’ve ever come across, and in my book that tends to be a good thing. The world of sex toys can often be a marketplace flooded with a slew of copycat products and regurgitated ideas, so when I see something this different the “innovation” lightbulb goes on above my head and I get excited.
The basic design of the Skittle is rather reminiscent of the lower half of a bowling pin, immediately giving away the origins of its name, and at the top of it it features this little insertable nub which is positioned off-centre and looks a lot like the teat on a cow’s udder. I’ve really never seen anything like it before, and it’s interesting to note that only 27% of its entire length is designed to be used inside the body. The product is constructed out of a nice solid plastic and covered in a layer of velvety silicone, and it all feels very robust.
The Skittle is a mains-powered sex toy, just like the Doxy Wand, and it comes with a very generous length of cable. From the plug to the control unit the cable measures 2.9m, and then from the controls to the Skittle itself there is another 0.8m of cable, making it very convenient to use if you don’t have a power socket directly by your bed, like me. The plug is one of these clever transformer units with the interchangeable prongs, which allow it to be used in any country, though it does only come with the corresponding set of prongs for the region you buy it in, but it’s not hard to obtain different ones online, or borrow them from another toy. 
The concept of the Skittle is that it’s intended to be a unisex product, so if you’re a man then that means you have the choice of using it either externally on the penis, or anally, depending on your preference. It’s a pretty simple device to operate via the inbuilt controls, and they have the handy feature of glowing blue so you can always see them no matter how low the illumination is in your room. The Skittle turns on in a constant vibration mode when you hit the power button, and then the intensity can be adjusted by holding down either the (+) or (-) buttons. As it’s mains powered that means it’s incredibly powerful, and when you first fire it up you can see the nub at the end shaking from side to side and causing a motion blur around the edges. One thing I like is that when you turn the unit off again it’ll remember the intensity level you last had it set at, so it’s ready to go the next time.

As well as the constant vibration mode which comes on by default, there’s also a variable escalating pulse setting – if you know how to find it. For me it’s not the most intuitive design, so you are liable to miss it if you’ve never used a Doxy product before, or you like to dive in straight away with a new toy, rather than reading instructions. It’s activated by holding down the power button for a count of three whilst the device is turned off. Once the button is released the Skittle powers on into the pulsing mode, and the speed of the pulses can then be adjusted again by using the (+) and (-) buttons.

If you’re a fan of using vibrators on the penis – something I always recommend trying out – then you’re sure to enjoy the Doxy Skittle too, because not only is it powerful, but it’s also got those deep rumbly vibrations that surpass all others. If you’ve never tried it then it delivers quite a different sensation to a stroking action, and creates intense and very pleasurable orgasms, often of the toe-curling variety. The only downside in this regard is that it’s a bit cumbersome on the whole. It’s far easier to pick up your We-Vibe Tango bullet when you’re looking for some rumbly vibrations on the penis, than it is to manage the extra size and weight of the Skittle, and the fact that you need one hand to hold it, and the other to operate the controls. This is less of an issue though if a partner is using it on you.
In terms of an anal device the Skittle is pretty intense, but it does take a little bit of getting used to. Unlike most anal toys, prostate massagers, etc, the useable portion of the Doxy is pretty small, only 2″ long, and at first that does seem like a bit of an issue. As much as I like to complain about some of the Rocks Off toys completely overestimating how deep the prostate is, the modest nub of the Skittle seems to fly in the opposite direction, and it’s hard to imagine how it would hit the prostate at all. The first few times I used the Skittle that did actually seem to bear out. I had it inside me, I switched it on, and I felt all these deep rumbly vibrations emanating from it, only they weren’t going into my prostate. They seemed to be going anywhere but in fact, and mostly into my sphincter which was clamped around the majority of its length. I was disappointed to say the least, but then I decided to change tack. I moved the Skittle around, I angled it, I pulled it into my body, and sure enough I could feel the end of the nub prodding into my prostate, so I turned it back on again. This was my epiphany moment. Finally I felt the roar of those vibrations rumbling deep into my prostate, and noticed my penis starting to swell in direct response. Now to be honest here, I’m not going to completely let the Skittle off the hook, because a bigger bulb at the outset would have eliminated the need for any of that, but as it is it does work, and if you could have seen the look on my face you’d know that those vibrations worked well.

The strength of the vibrations from the Skittle is impressive, and they have that deep penetrating quality that I require from my prostate toys. You can feel the rumbling waves going deep into the tissue and stimulating the core of the organ. One of the best ways I found to use it was with a shallow thrusting motion, pulling the Skittle deep inside me, and then letting off slightly, to create a manual massage of the prostate alongside the vibrations. This also had the added benefit of pressing the external portion of the Skittle firmly up against the perineum, which provided another pleasant sensation on top of what was happening internally. On constant mode I still found myself craving a little more power, as so often I do with anything used on my prostate, but it was on the pulsing mode that the Skittle really came into its own. There’s no adjusting the strength in pulse mode, only the speed of the pulses, so the power of the vibrations will gradually ramp up from zero to max as quickly or slowly as you desire, and for me the slowest settings proved to be mind-blowing. With the Skittle firmly pulled into my prostate I could feel the power building, edging ever higher, feeling more and more intense by the second, and it was like nothing I’d felt from any other toy. It finally reaches its glorious peak and then it drops off, pausing for a split second, before starting again from the bottom. It’s one of those moments where you sit there and think to yourself “wow…” and something that everyone needs to experience for themselves. It’s probably the closest I’ve felt I’ve come to achieving a prostate orgasm, and something tells me that with a little more practice it could be doable with the Skittle.

There are of course other ways to experiment with using the Skittle, including standing it on its flat base and squatting over it, but these are somewhat limited by the issue with the size of the nub. Having experienced the satisfaction of shallow thrusting with the Skittle, I’d really like to be able to try riding it like I would a dildo, but unfortunately you do tend to slip off the end entirely.

Like many mains powered devices it is that little bit more noisy than the majority of battery powered toys, but it’s not too wild so I wouldn’t worry about it being heard through a closed door. The sound does seem to amplify though if it makes contact with a mattress, so it’s quieter in hand. 

For me the Doxy Skittle is a really interesting device, because the design is completely unique, and it gives an unparalleled strength of vibrations for a toy that can be used anally. It does have its drawbacks, but then it’s trying to do a lot of different things for different people, so you can’t expect it to be perfect for your particular use. While the small nub does make it versatile, and especially accessible for those not accustomed to anal play, it does also hold it back. When it works, it works amazingly, and those powerful pulsing vibrations are mind-blowing, but I would really love to see them make a new model with a bigger insertable portion, which really takes it to the next level. Though I really wasn’t sure about the Skittle at first, I have been converted, and would gladly recommend people give it a shot.
 Many thanks to Doxy for kindly sending the Skittle to me to review.

The Don by Doxy is available now from the following retailers: SexToys.co.uk, Simply Pleasure, and SheVibe.

Pulse II Solo

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This week it’s time for a review of a new product from my friends at Hot Octopuss: the Pulse II Solo. It’s the follow-up to their wildly successful original ‘guybrator’, The Pulse, which launched back in 2013 to much acclaim. I was a huge fan of that toy, so let’s see where they’re taking us now!

Note: this product has since been replaced by an updated version, the Pulse III Solo

With the launch of Fun Factory’s Cobra Libre II late last year, and now a brand new Pulse model, it couldn’t be a better time to own a penis. For those of us who enjoy all things vibrational, it would seem that for the first time we’re almost spoiled for choice, and I for one am relishing this new trend.
Having only launched two years ago, it might appear somewhat soon for an upgrade to the Pulse, so having first heard of this new model I was immediately gripped with anticipation to see what reworkings had taken place to justify it, and more importantly from a reviewer’s perspective, whether any of it had been the result of our feedback
Possibly the biggest shake up to the Pulse is that it’s become the Pulses, plural, with the introduction of “Solo” and “Duo” models for the Pulse II. The original Pulse offered multifunctionality aimed at couples play, while still primarily being a toy for the man, and it did this by offering a secondary point of vibration which could stimulate a female partner during use. The Pulse II Duo represents the point of continuity with this concept and is most consistent with the original design, while the Pulse II Solo is the new kid on the block, dispensing with this aspect altogether and focussing solely on individual pleasure. 
Today I’m going to be looking specifically at the Pulse II Solo, and I have to say that I’m quite pleased with this divergence in the design. It’s not because I had any particular issue with it in the old model, it’s just that it was redundant for all those but heterosexual couples, and by stripping out the redundancy from one half of the new Pulse II pairing they’ve also managed to make the Solo £20 cheaper than the Duo. I’ve always felt that affordability is massively important for consumers, and after all no one wants to be paying for features they’re not using, so this is a positive development right off the bat.
So what exactly is the Pulse II Solo? I’ve been speaking so far with the assumption that everyone has read my earlier review and has a general understanding of the nature of these products, but for the benefit of those coming to this afresh. The Pulse is a vibrating male masturbatory aid, or a ‘Guybrator’ to use the term they’ve coined, and it’s one of the very very few vibrators aimed specifically at men. It differs from nearly all other male masturbators on the market, such as your Fleshjacks and Tengas, because it takes the conventional thinking about how men get off and turns it on its head. Most male sex toys aim to replicate the natural sexual experience as closely as possible, that is they involve the penis being thrust inside something in order to stimulate it to the point of orgasm. The Pulse on the other hand requires absolutely no motion on the part of the user, and brings him to climax via the use of powerful vibrations targeted directly at the most sensitive part of the penis. For any man who’s experienced the joys of vibrator use before then it probably doesn’t seem that revolutionary, but within the realm of male sex toys it really is.
The design of the Pulse II closely follows on from the original Pulse, employing the same shape and the same materials, with the only real difference being the size. The Pulse II is ever so slightly larger over all, and mainly in terms of length. What’s unusual though is that one area does seem to be smaller, and that’s the opening where you place your penis, but I’ll talk more about that later. The central channel is where the “Pulse Plate” lies, and this is the piece of technology which produces the vibrations, or to be more accurate, the oscillations. It’s strategically located to make contact with the sensitive underside of the penis, where the nerve-rich frenulum is located. The channel isn’t entirely enclosed, and is flanked by two flexible silicone “wings” which adapt to accommodate the size of penis placed between them. It’s quite a stylish toy on the whole, and it’s well made from quality body-safe materials such as silicone and ABS plastic.
To use the Pulse II you first begin by inserting your penis into the channel, and what’s quite beautiful about the whole way the product is engineered is that doesn’t really matter what state your penis is in, be it hard or soft, circumcised or intact, with the foreskin retracted or not. It’s functional in all situations, which is beneficial to anyone who might suffer from erectile dysfunction or a tight foreskin, for example, which limits their ability to use other toys, or be intimate with a partner. One thing I did notice, however, is that the channel definitely is smaller, and that bodes less well for more endowed men, specifically men with more girth, or in this case a wider penis. The flexible silicone wings felt noticeably snugger around my penis, and they had the same problem as in the original model, whereby they’re only flexible in their top half. I’m going to briefly quote myself as explanation. 

One thing I did notice though is that the “wings” are flexible mainly at the top half, and not towards the bottom, so while the top section can become almost infinitely wider the bottom of the channel always retains the same semi-circular shape. Where this could cause an issue is that most penises don’t have a completely circular cross-section and are wider from left to right than from top to bottom, so depending on the size and shape of the penis you may find that once inserted to the fullest extent the shaft may hover above the Pulse Plate without actually making direct contact. This probably won’t be an issue for most people, but if your penis is very wide in one direction, and not so much in the other, then it’s worth bearing in mind.

Like many I happen to have a penis which is wider in one axis than the other, and the smaller (narrower) channel does exacerbate the issue of flexibility with the wings. Instead of my penis lying completely level and flat along the channel, the pressure from the wings causes it to twist to try to conform with the narrow space, breaking optimal alignment with the Pulse Plate. The only way to really deal with this is to manually push the head of my penis down into the Pulse Plate and hold it in place, which works but which isn’t ideal if you were going for a hands-free experience. From my experience making the channel smaller is an unfortunate change, but perhaps there’s some evidence which shows it’s more suited to the penis size of a greater number of people, and it’s not enough to be a deal-breaker either way. 
To turn the Pulse II on you hold down the button on the left hand side and it jumps into a constant vibration mode at its lowest intensity. It’s a very powerful deep rumbly vibration, and I am inclined to say that it feels slightly stronger than the original model. From here you can either adjust the strength of the intensity using the  + and – buttons on the right hand side of the Pulse, or for the first time you can cycle through 5 different vibration patterns by pressing the power button. The strength of the vibrations is truly impressive; they penetrate deep into the shaft and can be felt all the way down to the pubic bone, and they even have the effect of making the penis appear blurry at times because the whole organ itself begins to vibrate. This “total vibration” is one of the most unique features of the Pulse II, because although the vibrations are being applied directly at the frenulum, they don’t simply feel localised here, but can be felt all over. Feeling every inch of your penis vibrating is fascinating, and entirely new, not to mention intensely pleasurable. It’s miles away from conventional masturbation, and it’s this whole new world of sensation which makes it all the more interesting. What really makes it special though is the inclusion of the patterns finally, because their absence did let down the original Pulse. Now with the ability to experience a good rhythm of vibrations it takes the experience to another level, and you have a choice of slow or faster, as well as a couple of more elaborate patterns. Because the vibrations from the Pulse are so strong it does run the risk of overwhelming you at times, so if you want a long drawn out session of pleasure, then you have to be careful that it doesn’t push you over the edge too soon. If you do manage to get it just right, and have an extended period of foreplay with the toy, then the orgasm that it rewards you with is quite explosive at the end, and definitely worth it. 
The one major drawback of the toy is exactly the same as with the original Pulse, and that’s the noise. It’s not a subtle toy at all, and that could be problematic for a lot of people. It sounds like a little lawnmower engine chugging away, and is liable to rouse suspicion if you live in close quarters with others. I know I’d have trouble relaxing if I was using it and I knew there was someone on the other side of a thin partition wall.
Another point I do want to raise about the Pulse II is regarding the buttons. They’re smaller than on the original Pulse, and much stiffer too, which can make them awkward to push. The upside is that they’re less likely to go off in your luggage, but they can be a struggle to operate while your penis is in the device, and this goes doubly if your penis doesn’t quite fit in it properly and you’re already using one hand to secure it in the right position. I mostly raise this with the thought of people with dexterity issues, however, because for everything the Pulse does to aid those who struggle sexually the buttons could trip them up.
The Pulse II is a fully rechargeable toy and it comes with a USB cable which plugs into a port in the rear. The port is sealed by a little silicone stopper which stays in place much better than on the original Pulse. The other advantage is that the Pulse II is now 100% waterproof, which makes it far easier to clean afterwards. 
At the start of the review I mentioned the Cobra Libre II, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t make some attempt to compare the two, but the difficulty is that the two really are apples and oranges, despite at least seeming to have so much in common. The Cobra is a lovely polished piece of design, and as much as I enjoy it, the vibrations feel that much more superficial. The Pulse II on the other hand wins on the sensation front. It may feel slightly awkward to use at times, what with the buttons, and trying to keep the right bits of your penis in contact with the right bits of the toy, but the absolute penetrating power of the vibrations from the Pulse plate are without rival. It’s an incredible new world of sensations, and after using them back-to-back it was the Pulse that my penis was yearning to return to. 
I have to say that on the whole the Pulse II feels like a significant step up from the original Pulse. It’s a much more polished device, and while all the design features don’t suit me personally I like the direction in which the company is going. The original Pulse was their first product, and on that basis it was outstanding, but you can tell that they’re learning now and improving as they go along. I’d definitely recommend the Pulse II Solo, but I think the question is, would I recommend it to people who already own an original Pulse? Is it enough of an upgrade to justify buying something so similar? My answer would actually be yes. There’s enough new stuff going on to warrant the purchase. Before I’d tried it I didn’t know what I was missing out on, but now I wouldn’t want to go back. The strength and quality of the vibrations just seems to feel better, and the patterns are the icing on the cake. My only caveat would be to guys with a thicker (wider) penis, because if the original Pulse felt too snug for you then the Pulse II will only add to that frustration. 
Thanks to Hot Octopuss for providing me with the Pulse II Solo to review, and you can buy it directly from them, as well as any of the fine retailers I have links to on my blog.