New impulse - traditional vibrator discontinued by WHK GmbH - review by Rayne Millaray

This toy is made for both direct and indirect clitoral stimulation, as well as any erogenous stimulation you might enjoy. Any user, regardless of experience or gender, can enjoy this toy. It's small enough to slide into a purse or overnight bag unnoticed. And you can take it in the tub with you without fear of killing the motor.

The New Impulse is smooth, sleek, silver plastic. It's nonporous and phthalate free. Firm and slip-slidey. Occasionally, however, due to the nature of plastic, it can feel slightly tacky against not-wet-enough skin. The texture's great for anyone, and the firmness of the toy makes it excellent for pinpoint stimulation... if it weren't for the way the vibrations are dispersed.

Someone with a more curved anatomy might want something with either a little more give or a little more curve, as this toy has none of either. Its shaft isn't all that long, though, so you may find it doesn't make a difference.

This vibe is five and three-quarters inches long, with four and one-half inches being insertable and a diameter of one inch. Its blunt, pointed tip makes both pinpoint and indirect stimulation a breeze, while its shaft is ideal for women who like something a little on the thin side.

When you unscrew the textured battery cover (that doubles as a pretty awesome handle if you use too much lube) and peek inside, you find a battery compartment that fits two AAA batteries side by side marked with stickers telling you which way to put the batteries in. Around the outside of the compartment, there should be a thin, flat rubber washer laying flush against the underside of the shaft.

The traditional design is, overall, completely nonthreatening, which makes this vibe great for people who are new to exploring their sexuality through sex toys. It's small enough to be slipped inside a purse or an overnight bag without being discovered. Overall, it seems to be a sturdy little addition to anyone's toy box.

The label on the New Impulse's "one-touch" push-button control paired with the battery cylinder's cover is a little deceiving. As you can see from the photo, they sort of make it seem like the vibe has a turn-dial instead of the push-button that is actually there.

There are three intensities (low, medium and high) and four pulsation variables ranging from roller coaster to staccato pulses. Gently press the button on the bottom of this toy to cycle through the settings, but be prepared to yank the toy away when you're ready to float on post-coital bliss. You have to cycle through all the settings to turn it off.

It's got a powerful little motor, which is reflected in its volume. However, it doesn't feel quite as powerful in the places it matters as it does in one's hands. I'm not sure it desensitizes, so much as the vibrations sort of disperse oddly against your skin. You don't necessarily feel the vibration where you're touching yourself with the vibe so much as in the surrounding area.

Plastic is pretty cool because it's nonporous so you can disinfect it and use water, oil or silicone based lubes. When you're finished, wash it with antibacterial soap or wipe it down with isopropyl alcohol. Toy spray or wipes work just as well. You don't necessarily need to use a condom when sharing between orifices and partners so long as you wipe it down with some sort of disinfectant, but I probably would just to be safe.

Make sure you take the batteries out when storing this toy. Always check to be sure the washer lays flush with the vibe's outer shell before use in water. And screw the battery cap on tight to ensure waterproofing.

This vibe comes in hinged molded plastic that just snaps closed. It's got a pink cardboard insert sporting a woman - who, at first glance, has a slight resemblance to the girl who plays Kate in Lost - wearing lacy pink panties and pulling off a pink... muscle shirt, maybe? The insert lists this toy's claims to fame and displays the toy in four other colors: pink, purple, blue and gold.

The first time I loaded the batteries into New Impulse and figured out how to work it, it sort of sputtered to life. I had to cycle through the settings once to get rid of a slight rattle in the motor between pulses. After the first cycle, the thing roared in my hand and started to numb my fingertips.

I'm really not sure what's up with the label on the control. I didn't read the package at all and was confused when all turning did was open the battery compartment.

The washer sort of worries me cause it's kind of flimsy. I'm not sure how long it's going to last. It's really thin and flat, instead of the round ones other companies use, and it rolls up or gets twisted on occasion.

I haven't tried it in the water. Unfortunately, I have excruciatingly thin walls and our bathroom shares one with the neighbors' living room. I'm sure, out of politeness, they'd convince themselves the jackhammer they heard coming through the walls was M's new electric razor. But I've never heard any electric razors that loud, and I'm sure they haven't either.

I find the volume distracting and most of the pulsation variables annoying. I don't know if it's just that the roller coaster vibrations aren't really my thing or if it's these pulses specifically. More experimentation is definitely needed!