Echo - strap-on dildo by Tantus - review by ToyGeek

The Tantus Echo is a high quality silicone dildo with a variety of uses. It is harness compatible, and it has a bullet hole if you desire vibration. Meant for thrusting, the Echo will best be enjoyed by women who like their g-spots rubbed, rather than those who require stimulation in the form of firm pressure, such as that obtained with curved toys.

Echo's flared base makes it acceptable for anal use, but between the size and the texture, I could not find the courage to test it in that manner, and would not recommend it as an introductory anal toy.

Silicone is phthalates free, non-porous, and body friendly. It has no odor or taste, and should it pick up an odor from exposure to other materials, such as its plastic packaging, it will wash away or even dissipate on its own.

The Echo's silicone is firm yet flexible, with the slightest bit of squishiness, very little floppiness, and a gorgeous shiny texture. Mine is the copper, and it's gorgeous, with plenty of character and depth to the swirling color.

At approximately an inch and a half in diameter, the Echo is a girthy toy without being overwhelming. The ridges on one side of the toy add significant stimulation, and should keep even the most advanced users interested.

The best part of the ridges is the fact that while prominent, they're limited to one side of the toy. That mans plenty of stimulation where you want it, without irritation or extra drag where it's not desired. The major design issue with the Echo is the flimsiness of the base, but since I found multiple workarounds for that problem (outlined below), it's definitely not a deal breaker.

While the Echo refrains from looking like a severed body part, it does look like a dildo if anyone gets more than a quick glance. With fairly advanced lying skills, you might manage to pass it off as the handle to something, because the ridges do slightly resemble the finger grooves on a bicycle handle, and it does have a bullet hole where you're fictional object could in theory be inserted. It's a stretch, though.

The Echo feels absolutely fantastic in use, as it strokes the g spot and vaginal entrance with a ripply tugging sensation. It's flexible enough to increase or decrease the pressure of the stroke by adjusting the angle, so it's possible to achieve a fairly firm rubbing of the g-spot, but the toy lacks a curve, so it's not really designed to thrust into the g-spot or apply firm direct pressure. As far as g-spot stimulation, it might be somewhat body specific -- it worked for me, but I can see how it might not for all. That said, the stimulation it provides is not entirely dependent upon the g-spot, as it does have that delightful popping effect.

Earlier in my review I mentioned that the Echo has a moderately flimsy base. On one of my test drives, I inadvertently compensated for that flaw by sticking a finger in the bullet hole. This worked fantastically well during the session, as the awkwardness of clutching the base slipped from my mind, however it also produced the unfortunate side effect of leaving my finger trapped in the base of a dildo, and it took several minutes of patient prodding to break the vacuum effect and win my freedom. So if you stick your finger in there, be sure to use a few drops of lube first, just as you should when inserting a bullet.

This leads me to other solutions to the base issue. For another session, I dragged out some leftover leather and made myself a hand harness. This saved my wrist a bit, and to my delight the base of the Echo was firm enough to stay put in it. It was a solution, but not my favorite solution, which I stumbled upon accidentally in a later test.

You see, Tantus also includes a bullet with the Echo, which I did not find to my tastes. It was too buzzy for me, so I tossed it aside. Keep in mind that I'm very specific in my vibration tastes, due to my love affair with the Little Steel Vanitas (essentially the same toy as the Little Chroma). Speaking of the Little Chroma, it fits perfectly in the bullet hole of the Echo. Imagine my glee!

Now imagine my glee again, as the Little Steel solved both of my Echo-related issues. Inserted (with a few drops of my least-favorite water based lube, because it's a fine way to use up an unloved lube) into the bullet hole, my beloved vibe formed a wonderful handle for the Echo, while also adding vibrations at my favorite pitch to this wonderful dildo.

Hello, new favorite insertable vibrator, very nice to meet you. Suddenly the Echo went from, "great thrusting toy, but not quite as great as my two favorites," to, "this is definitely my all-time favorite insertable vibe."

Experimentation pays off, folks. Support science in our schools.

The Tantus Echo can be boiled, run through the top rack of the dishwasher, or rinsed with a 10% bleach solution for sterilization purposes; or for everyday cleaning, washed in mild soap and hot water, or sprayed with toy cleaner. It attracts a little less lint than matte silicone, but it's still likely enough to catch a stray hair that I recommend either rinsing it off or wiping it down with an unscented baby wipe before use as well.

For storage, the Echo should not be allowed to touch toys made of silicone composites, as the chemicals in those composites will seek to bond with the silicone and melt your new love. Likewise, silicone lubricant is not recommended. Stick to water based lube.

I store my Echo in a lint-free cosmetics bag from the free trade store, and the colors match perfectly. There are also excellent separator bags available on Eden, or you could use something as simple as a sock or a ziplock bag.

The Echo's packaging neither adds to nor detracts from the product. It arrived in a simple clear plastic box, with information about the toy on the outside. It folded easily into the recycling bin. Since the presentation is neither impressive nor tacky, gift giving suitability will depend upon both the participants and the venue. I'd recommend against giving it to your Secret Santa recipient at the office holiday party. Probably.

What's in a name? That which we call a rose,
By any other name would smell as sweet.

Other reviewers have speculated upon the mystery behind Echo's name, but I'm absolutely positive that she's named after Eliza Dushku's character on Joss Whedon's Dollhouse. Or, if you don't buy that theory, it could have something to do with the way the sensation of the thrust repeats as each ridge strokes your sweet spots. But I like my theory better.

Additionally, it's worth noting that the Echo can be outfitted with the Tantus suction cup, sold separately.