Not Quite as Imagined
The Heart Beat Collar is downright cute. It would look adorable on a variety of people, but it doesn't look like EF pictures it. The D-ring is right next to the buckle which makes it virtually unusable for leash use. However, depending on what you want it for, it might be the perfect collar for you.Published: November 3, 2010
Pros:
Amazingly comfortable, good quality, cute
Cons:
D-ring next to buckle, not as pictured on EF
Sometimes I look at a product and go "what the fuck were you thinking?". That's exactly what I thought about this collar. In fact, it's enough of a point to cause this collar to be virtually unusable for me. Something must have happened between when EF received this product to now because this collar doesn't resemble the picture on EF anymore. (It does slightly, but regardless, check my video if you want to see what it looks like.)
The Ruff Doggie Styles Heart Beat Collar is a very small collar (in width) intended for kinky use. It's about nineteen inches long which makes it large enough for most individuals to wear on their neck. It's also 1/2 inches in width which is why we picked it out - large width collars are uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time while I wanted something the boyfriend could just wear around the house with no intention of rough play. The collar is still the sparkly purple/pink and looks pretty feminine. It honestly looks a bit like a pet collar which is great if that's your thing. (I honestly didn't mind the colors, and if I did (like one of the reviewers did), I just wouldn't buy the thing.) The collar buckles with a buckle - non-locking.
There wasn't any sort of packaging for this collar. It just came sitting by itself in the EF box (packaged discreetly.) It came with a little tag hanging off the back of it to let me know what company manufactured it, but aside from that, it basically was packaging-less.
This is where some of the changes begin. The collar does have those little gem inserts that you can see on the picture, but instead of being the pink like the picture shows, each one is actually a small little pearl/diamond/mirror-looking thing now. You can see your reflection in them which is a little creepy if you choose to look at your submissive to see ten mini-yous. That wasn't really a deal-breaker though. A surprise, but certainly not a dealbreaker.
The dealbreaker? The O-ring. As you can see in the pictures, the O-ring on the old version of the collar was opposite of the buckle. On the new version? It's right next to it! I mean, RIGHT next to it. They touch. Instead of an O-ring, it's also a D-ring now with a little heart pendant hanging off of the D-ring. Which was cute. But it's RIGHT NEXT TO THE BUCKLE. What in the world? This means that, when you wear your collar, if you want to strap anything to it, you have to look at the buckle on the front side instead of in the back of the neck where it belongs.
For awhile, I considered I might be the biggest idiot on the planet and that this d-ring was actually just a piece to help hold the excess collar length down, but I don't think so. It's too oblong and in-the-way to seem to serve that purpose - plus, if that was the point, why would they put a little heart charm on it? Part of the attractiveness of a collar is having the buckle in the back with a smooth surface on the front side. However, this doesn't have that. With the clipping ring right next to the buckle, you are forced to have the buckle in the front (which to me, is like wearing your underwear on the outside of your pants) if you want to clip anything to the collar. It looks very unprofessional and for sure would get you laughed at in a large group setting.
However, if you don't want to use the D-ring to clip to leashes, you could get away with leaving the D-ring and the buckle in the back of the neck and just having the little gems and the collar itself show on the front side. That just makes it a cute collar (though you can't clip to it). The weight on the back of the collar also does tend to make the buckle and D-ring slowly move towards the front with regular use too which is annoying, but nothing that a necklace doesn't do anyway.
The Ruff Doggie Styles Heart Beat Collar is a very small collar (in width) intended for kinky use. It's about nineteen inches long which makes it large enough for most individuals to wear on their neck. It's also 1/2 inches in width which is why we picked it out - large width collars are uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time while I wanted something the boyfriend could just wear around the house with no intention of rough play. The collar is still the sparkly purple/pink and looks pretty feminine. It honestly looks a bit like a pet collar which is great if that's your thing. (I honestly didn't mind the colors, and if I did (like one of the reviewers did), I just wouldn't buy the thing.) The collar buckles with a buckle - non-locking.
There wasn't any sort of packaging for this collar. It just came sitting by itself in the EF box (packaged discreetly.) It came with a little tag hanging off the back of it to let me know what company manufactured it, but aside from that, it basically was packaging-less.
This is where some of the changes begin. The collar does have those little gem inserts that you can see on the picture, but instead of being the pink like the picture shows, each one is actually a small little pearl/diamond/mirror-looking thing now. You can see your reflection in them which is a little creepy if you choose to look at your submissive to see ten mini-yous. That wasn't really a deal-breaker though. A surprise, but certainly not a dealbreaker.
The dealbreaker? The O-ring. As you can see in the pictures, the O-ring on the old version of the collar was opposite of the buckle. On the new version? It's right next to it! I mean, RIGHT next to it. They touch. Instead of an O-ring, it's also a D-ring now with a little heart pendant hanging off of the D-ring. Which was cute. But it's RIGHT NEXT TO THE BUCKLE. What in the world? This means that, when you wear your collar, if you want to strap anything to it, you have to look at the buckle on the front side instead of in the back of the neck where it belongs.
For awhile, I considered I might be the biggest idiot on the planet and that this d-ring was actually just a piece to help hold the excess collar length down, but I don't think so. It's too oblong and in-the-way to seem to serve that purpose - plus, if that was the point, why would they put a little heart charm on it? Part of the attractiveness of a collar is having the buckle in the back with a smooth surface on the front side. However, this doesn't have that. With the clipping ring right next to the buckle, you are forced to have the buckle in the front (which to me, is like wearing your underwear on the outside of your pants) if you want to clip anything to the collar. It looks very unprofessional and for sure would get you laughed at in a large group setting.
However, if you don't want to use the D-ring to clip to leashes, you could get away with leaving the D-ring and the buckle in the back of the neck and just having the little gems and the collar itself show on the front side. That just makes it a cute collar (though you can't clip to it). The weight on the back of the collar also does tend to make the buckle and D-ring slowly move towards the front with regular use too which is annoying, but nothing that a necklace doesn't do anyway.
Experience
Aside from that, how is it? Pretty good. It's a comfortable collar. I can honestly say we didn't get the best of wears from it since the boyfriend has been sick with a horrid cough for the last four weeks and wants nothing on his neck. However, I had him wear it for a couple hours, and aside from irritating his cough, he said he didn't mind it at all. It wasn't itchy or anything. None of the gems have fallen off or even seem in danger of falling out. Each gem seems firmly glued into the little "socket" that it was intended for. It didn't cut into skin, and it wasn't sweaty. It was basically a perfect little collar that looked adorable.
For cleaning, you just have to wipe this down with a damp washcloth. Leather doesn't enjoy soap. I'd recommend keeping it away from any sort of blood, bodily fluids, or lubricant just to keep it nice and clean. Wiping it down should get rid of any sweat though. For storage, you can keep it basically anywhere you'd like - it doesn't have any storage limitations.
If the D-ring wasn't right next to the buckle, I'd recommend this without a second's hesitation. It's comfortable, cute, and well-made. However, the buckle being right next to the D-ring really brings down the usability of the collar unfortunately. It's still a neat collar, but if you want it for leashing, it now becomes a whole new problem. If you are okay with that, I'd say go for it. It just doesn't look as pretty. If you just want it for the collar and not for leashing, I'd definitely recommend it as well.
For cleaning, you just have to wipe this down with a damp washcloth. Leather doesn't enjoy soap. I'd recommend keeping it away from any sort of blood, bodily fluids, or lubricant just to keep it nice and clean. Wiping it down should get rid of any sweat though. For storage, you can keep it basically anywhere you'd like - it doesn't have any storage limitations.
If the D-ring wasn't right next to the buckle, I'd recommend this without a second's hesitation. It's comfortable, cute, and well-made. However, the buckle being right next to the D-ring really brings down the usability of the collar unfortunately. It's still a neat collar, but if you want it for leashing, it now becomes a whole new problem. If you are okay with that, I'd say go for it. It just doesn't look as pretty. If you just want it for the collar and not for leashing, I'd definitely recommend it as well.
Follow-up commentary
7 months after original review
This collar has held up to the occasional use that we give it, but honestly, we usually use other collars instead of this one. However, it is a decent collar, and if you're okay with the buckle placement, it's worth looking into it.
This product was provided free of charge to the reviewer. This review is in compliance with the
FTC guidelines.
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Which collar is this exactly?
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I'm very confused as to which collar I will be purchasing if I get this one. I like what it looks like on the product page, but there seems to be something wrong, unless it was updated to match the pictures. Everyone's review describes this collar as a shiny pink collar, and that's even what shows in Miss Kay's video of the collar.
Anyone know which collar this is exactly? Or in the very least, if it's not what is shown, the product page should definitely be updated. -
Hmm, I have no experience with it so I can't really say. I'm hoping that somebody else who owns it will be able to come forward, but in the mean time you can submit a support ticket and somebody can check in the warehouse to see if the pictures need updating.
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Quote: Hmm, I have no experience with it so I can't really say. I'm hoping that somebody else who owns it will be able to come forward, but in the mean time you can submit a support ticket and somebody can check in the warehouse to see if the pictures need updating.Well, on the reviews it says that it is not the collar shown. But this was not showing up on the product listing in the collar section for a long time, then suddenly, it's there again. So I'm confused. I'll submit a support ticket though, I only didn't because I figured that maybe someone would know on the forums.
Thank you for responding!
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Thank you for viewing Ruff doggie styles heart beat collar – sex toy review page!
I really like your video reviews and found this one very helpful, especially with the differences between the product and its pictures here. For some reason I can't vote on the review right now so I'll have to try later.
Sorry about the D ring placement! How stupid!
Oh wow, it really is quite different than the one pictured! That O-ring in the stock pic would work wonderfully, I totally agree about the d-ring being placed badly. And those stones don't appeal to me as much as the stock pic ones do. Excellent review and video!!
Stupid place for a D Ring on a Kink collar. Mistress Kay, it looks like they simply took the design from a real dog color (because it often the D Ring to secure the leash to a dog is near the buckle and thought that that would be fine for people. But, as you said, it doesn't work, because it too close to the buckle for human leash use. You may as well buy a $8.00 dog collar. (shrug)
Very weird because the picture has what looks like and O ring on the Front of the collar, opposite the buckle. That would have been fine. I wonder why they changed it. I can assure you our local pet supply store has identical collars to this, with the D ring in the same place.
Good review and the video was a good look at the difference between the picture and what the company is selling.
@P'Gell - I haven't owned a dog in years, so I haven't looked at dog collars either. So I didn't know that. Hmm. Maybe it was made just for pet play then?
I hate it when they changes the product without changing the product pictures. Results in an unwanted surprise. Excellent review though.
How bizarre. Great review though
I was going to say the same thing as P'Gell did... looks like a REAL dog collar. Like from Petsmart. Maybe they also manufacture pet gear and just mixed up which one they sent you? (Wishful thinking I know lol!)
I was also going to agree with @P'Gell and some others. It looks like they were trying to make it like a real pet collar. I have purchased lots of collars like this for myself, and we have no problems with using it for real leash use. The only thing is, you need to make sure the D-ring (by the buckle) is in front, and I guess some people don't like that look. I do personally, and know a lot of people who do as well. I think it's just a matter of style.
It still stinks that the item pictured is so different from the item you got. I'm glad you made the video so that we could all get a chance to see what the collar looks like!
Wow, that's strange, because I own another collar by Ruff Doggie Styles and the O-ring was at the front of the collar which makes it extremely nice for me and my pet(s), i figured that this one would have it too! Thanks for making the video to let us see what it looked like, it looks gorgeous but i'm very picky and skeptical about buying collars that don't have the O-ring (or D-ring) in the front...it just deceits the purpose of having a collar to begin with if it can't be used the way it should. I love it when it is at the front because it's aesthetically more appealing to me and gets people staring...Good review! Too bad it isn't what it is picture though
I have to admit, the D ring in the front is one of my biggest pet peeves about kink-oriented collars. Makes things so uncomfortable and definitely not even anywhere close to something I'd wear in public for that point alone. Thanks for the video and clarifying the differences between picture and actual product.
Perfect review!
Wow, I can't believe the difference. I hope they switch back to what the product is actually advertised as.
Nice review, thanks.
Great review dear first Mentor of mine!
Good review...
Thanks!