A Handy-Dandy Guide to Penis Pumps: For Men
Part 7 - Penis Pump Reviews
Back in Part 3 of this guide I mentioned, "…there are lots of ways to customize and personalize your pump. Many pump models, particularly if you are buying a kit, come with some of these frills already." The Total Erection System is one such kit. It comes with several add-ons for your pumping pleasure.
The kit includes the usual; a plastic vacuum chamber (this one is an inferior two-piece model) and a pistol-grip handle pump mechanism. The add-ons include an easy to read industrial grade pressure gauge, a Cyber Skin® stimulator sleeve with interior nubs which attaches to the base of the pump, a multi-speed bullet vibe, and a rubber compression ring (cock ring).
This pistol-grip pump mechanism is made of plastic, but it's a considerable step above the ball or piston mechanisms used by the two previous pumps. It certainly makes a stronger vacuum than the other two as well. And the pressure gauge is one of the nicest I've seen. The release valve is easy to find. It's located below the gauge at the point where the tubing attaches to the pump mechanism. This device also features the more sophisticated coupling device that locks the male (hose) and female (cylinder) ends together.
What I like about this pump:
- I liked the Cyber Skin® stimulator sleeve. The nubs inside were a delightful addition. One can use the sleeve without the pump as a masturbator, which is a bonus in my book. Also, throughout the pumping session the sleeve helped maintain an airtight seal at the base of my dick.
- I really like the pressure gage.
- The pistol-grip handle pump mechanism, although plastic, is pretty sturdy.
- I really liked the way the device disassembles for easy cleaning.
What I didn't like about this pump:
- It appears to me that the manufacturer is converting older, cheaper two-piece cylinders to include the more sophisticated coupling device. The result is a muddle of unnecessary connections. For example most of pumps that offer the more sophisticated coupling device make the connection directly to a molded one-piece cylinder. Not this one! This cylinder has two pieces, making it substandard. And the coupling device is inferior too.
- Both the tube-to-cylinder connection and the tube-to-pump mechanism connection were very loose, right out of the box. I had to do some minor tube surgery. Using my handy box-cutter I trimmed off the two flared ends of the tubing and forced the newly cut ends back on their respective connections. Before I did the surgery the tubing kept coming off the pump mechanism, making the whole experience very frustrating. After the minor surgery, things worked as they should have. Still I had to make sure I kept these connections lube free.
- The plastic pump handle became slippery and hard to use if I had any lube on my hands at all.
- The rubber compression ring (cock ring) included in the package was very difficult to use. In the end I used one of my own. I appreciated the manufacturer's good intention; it's just this is a crummy cock ring design.
- The multi-speed bullet vibe is a joke; particularly when it was used in conjunction with the pump. But even with the stimulation sleeve alone, it didn't have enough oomph to make much of a difference.
