Gold Digger Vibe

Mr. Marcus Gold Digger Vibrator

I will say right now that on receiving this vibe to review I had no idea who Mr. Marcus was, or what his association with Doc Johnson is, seeing as how her name is attached to this product as well. A Google search quickly rectified things, as I discovered Mr. Marcus is an adult film actor. I'll hazard a guess that an adult film actor doesn't truly graduate to "porn star" until he or she has a line of sex toys. Normally one would think their private parts are cast with plaster to mass manufacture dildos and sleeves in some Asian factory, but the Gold Digger has the look of a simple vibe, presumably for beginners.

There are two varieties of the Gold Digger (for some reason I can't get Shirley Bassey's singing voice out of my head, so bear with me): a four-inch and a 6.5-inch. I was given the latter, marked on the package as "Big Daddy's Favorite." Whether Big Daddy prefers to use this on himself or others is not specified, but it is definitely not modeled realistically on any part of any daddy. The black surface is all smooth and soft to the touch—not hard plastic but not quite the squishy silicone I'm used to, either. If you recall my review last year of the Grapevine Vibe, you'll know the texture is the same. As for actual gold, there isn't any—the base of the toy is bejeweled with a bit of "bling" which, though it would look pretty while standing the vibe upright on a table or something—doesn't really do much for the toy's performance. Babeland describes this toy as:

Get your bling on—with minimal investment—thanks to the luxe-looking, super affordable Gold Digger vibrator. Classy golden jewels stud the bottom of the waterproof, velvety plastic shell, and gentle vibrations purr through the variable-speed dial, making this diva-pleaser just as handy for the clit as it is for penetration. Please use a condom for insertion to keep your jewels sitting pretty.

• Size: 6” x 1-1/4”
• Material: Hard plastic
• Volume:
• Intensity:
• Batteries: Two AA

Batteries are not included, and neither are condoms. I will take issue with the volume rating on this toy because when I did turn it on, I thought it was quite loud for it ssize. Compared to the whisper-buzz of the Grapevine, the Gold Digger sounded like it actually was drilling the ground, even at a low speed.

For penetration, the Gold Digger does offer some satisfaction. The curvature seemed to fit well, providing a nice friction when used. Clitoral stimulation took a bit longer than my usual bullet, but the vibrating sensation inside didn't feel uncomfortable or jarring, inside or out. This having a "velvet"-style exterior, it should definitely be cleaned well after use.

Given its size and price ($20), the Gold Digger would make a good first vibrator for sex toy newbs, or a travel toy for anyone who doesn't want to pack the heavier stuff.

~ Leigh Ellwood
www.leighellwood.com

Papillon

A Toys for Tarts guest review:

I had high hopes for this toy as I am always looking for something new for clit stimulation to spice things up a bit. Unfortunately, I ended up disappointed. The toy did not deliver to my expectations, and I gave it three runs to be sure.

Papillon feels smooth, and the little butterfly on the top is a nice feminine touch. The batteries slipped in easily, though the cap didn't cooperate without difficulty. There was no click to let you know if it shut properly. (I did not test it in water for this reason).

Papillon has a small button on the top which allows you to switch speeds with a quick tap of the finger. Low speed emits a nice vibration, and high speed revs it up a notch. It fits nicely in your hand and is lightweight. The sound is a bit louder than a bullet but not so loud that you have to worry about someone in another room hearing what you are up to.

My first use of the Papillon was pleasurable but not an earth-shattering experience. Low speed gave a pleasant buzz but failed to deliver more than slight arousal. High speed managed to kick things into gear, but it took longer to achieve climax than with my trusty bullet. Also, if you wish to reach maximum clitoral stimulation, it's likely your hand is going to get cramped and tired long before you ever get to the point of no return.

My second and third attempts with Papillon were frustrating and disappointing. Neither effort brought about climax after a sufficient amount of time, even when the toy was used on high speed.

If you are looking for a masturbatory toy to help you achieve a good orgasm, the Papillon is not for you. However, if you are simply searching for an aid in foreplay to help stimulate and arouse, then this toy would probably fulfill the need. Part of the proceeds of the sale of the Papillon do go to a worthy cause, the Living Beyond Breast Cancer organization, so if you wish to add a new toy for foreplay to your chest, do give this a try.

~ Savannah Reardon

* This product graciously provided for review by Babeland.

Ultime

Here's what Erotic Massagers had to say:

"The most obvious [use], of course, is that the tapered end would be used to stimulate the g-spot while the flatter end would rest against the clitoris. After experimenting with a few different positions, I found that straddling the vibrator provided far better g-spot stimulation than lying on my back. Because this particular unit has no 'handle', as it were, controlling it from a prone position proved somewhat challenging. When the Ultime is straddled, however, I found it much easier to control the angle and depth of penetration by moving my hips. The added benefit of this is that it also left my hands free for other things. Using the flat end of the Ultime to rock the unit in semi circle also provides a particularly delightful sensation against the g-spot.

"Women who prefer a stronger level of clitoral stimulation may find that they need to add in a little manual play as the external portion has a rather weak vibration even on the highest setting. While the size of the Ultime could be a little difficult to work with during intercourse, it is a fun vibe for use during foreplay. Flipped upside down, the flat end nicely vibrates against the perineum while the tapered end stimulates the AFE Zone leaving your clitoris free for oral or mnual pleasuring. The U-shape also works rather well to cup the balls and stimulate the base of the penis during manual or oral play. If your lover happens to enjoy anal stimulation, the tapered end is well shaped for prostate stimulation as well. (Just remember to use a condom on the vibe if you’re sharing).

"All told, the Ultime is definitely worth adding to your toy chest. It’s unique shape makes it fun to experiment with both on solo and couple adventures. It is relatively quiet and, as is the case with all the vibes from Natural Contours, it is beautifully designed."

Waterproof Turbo Glider Raspberry Crush

The Turbo Glider Raspberry Crush is 6.25" long and made of nonporous, rigid plastic. It has a bulbous head and nubs on the 1.25" diameter shaft. Takes two AA batteries.

If it takes you more than a few minutes to get off, perhaps this toy isn't for you. As with most products by California Exotic Novelties, it is prone to overheating, which imparts an unpleasant odor that never entirely fades. Its vibration isn't quite as strong as other AA-powered vibes, but the hard plastic carries it well. Use a condom and try this one anally -- just an inch or two.

While it says it's waterproof, water resistant would probably be more accurate. Shower use should be fine, but immersion in the bathtub might not. Remove batteries when not in use, or at least remove the cap to allow air to circulate.

You can find this basic toy for under $10 at many online vendors (including Amazon). It's well worth $10 ... but not more.