Why, precisely, are Fleshlights so popular?

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Why, precisely, are Fleshlights so popular?

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Contributor: CheerfulLoner CheerfulLoner
I've just gotten one. Burnt some $65 on it (Xmas sales and all that, wheee,) and put it to use.

Rather, tried to put it to use.

It didn't do anything for me at all. Certainly, the material feels very nice and all but... there is nothing to this thing. The hard plastic case means you can't squeeze a bit here and there to make it more fun and lifelike, and the size of the damn case makes it feel like one is trying to shag a lamp post; a nagging feeling all the more depressing to the average male who might not be 100% comfortable in himself in the trousers department, particularly when one realizes that only about half the toy is being used.

I'd compare this to one of those really dull, boring sex partners who just lay there and take it, but that would be an insult to boring sex partners; at least you can try to liven them up a bit. The Fleshlight just stays the same no matter what, even when fiddling with that 'suction top' thingy. It was so dull that after twenty minutes and a very lagging will to even try to stay hard, I switched over to my favourite $18 toy out of exasperation. One quarter of the price and ten times more fun, something wrong with that equation.

Personally, I am regretting this purchase; I could have used that money for something much more interesting... like paying to watch concrete dry, but this is just mine own opinion. It seems that despite what I think of as shortcomings (hur hur,) these things pretty much fly off the shelves and into people's pants. Why? What makes it so popular to the other male users out there?

Inquiring and annoyed minds want to know!


EDIT: Oh for fuck's sake... You can tell I am annoyed when I'm am so eager to stomp on a product that I misspell the damn title... And I can't fix it. Moderator help, please?
12/20/2010
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Contributor: Rainbow Boy Rainbow Boy
Well, flashlights help you see in the dark and are handy when the power goes out.

Seriously, though, I think Fleshlights are quite pleasurable. I currently have two sleeves, but I only enjoy one of them (the regular one). At first I wasn't too impressed by the sensations it provided, but after using it a few more times I derived a lot of pleasure from it. What I do is I fantasize about having sex with one of my crushes, and I do it in a realistic position (as opposed to simply stroking it up and down while sitting). Try placing the Fleshlight between two pillows (or four if that's more comfortable) on your bed and ease into a fantasy. Make sure you use a good amount of lube (any water-based lube is fine; I sometimes use the convenience of hand lotion). Also, make sure to submerge the sleeve in hot water for about 10 to 15 minutes prior. This will provide a more realistic feel and will soften the sleeve a little bit.

If none of those suggestions work, then perhaps Fleshlights aren't your kind of thing, similar to how some men don't enjoy using dildos. However, I really think you should give it a few more tries. Don't give up on it, and don't make it into a boring, mundane task. Try to do it when you're feeling really turned on and in the mood. It's really quite an amazing feeling. Enjoy!
12/20/2010
Contributor: Rainbow Boy Rainbow Boy
Quote:
Originally posted by Rainbow Boy
Well, flashlights help you see in the dark and are handy when the power goes out.

Seriously, though, I think Fleshlights are quite pleasurable. I currently have two sleeves, but I only enjoy one of them (the regular one). At first I ... more
Gah! Double post.
12/20/2010
Contributor: Jobthingy Jobthingy
Don't forget you can get different texture sleeves for them also.
12/20/2010
Contributor: PussyGalore PussyGalore
Think you would have been better off with a realistic pussy or a non-fleshlight sleeve. Every person is different. You'll have to keep trying until you find something you enjoy!
12/20/2010
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
What Fleshlight did you get?
12/20/2010
Contributor: Avant-garde Avant-garde
Your no the only one to report his actually. You may just need to break it in. Try using it several more times and see what happens, Lubes can make a big difference as well. The texture can also influence the decision you make as some are much better than others. My favorite one from ILF is the Vortex. My favorite sleeve however is the Meiki ZXY if you are considering another sleeve I would recommend that one, which can be bought at toydemon.
12/20/2010
Contributor: CheerfulLoner CheerfulLoner
Quote:
Originally posted by Rainbow Boy
Well, flashlights help you see in the dark and are handy when the power goes out.

Seriously, though, I think Fleshlights are quite pleasurable. I currently have two sleeves, but I only enjoy one of them (the regular one). At first I ... more
That is some good advice; I shall take it into account when next I break it out. I would rather like to get the goodness out of it, considering the hype and ratings...
12/21/2010
Contributor: CheerfulLoner CheerfulLoner
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyTimeTim
What Fleshlight did you get?
That fancy Alien one in blue. The texture looked the most interesting; Vortex, Lotus and STU all in one.
12/21/2010
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
Quote:
Originally posted by CheerfulLoner
That is some good advice; I shall take it into account when next I break it out. I would rather like to get the goodness out of it, considering the hype and ratings...
My husband, at first, said it was like fucking a big gulp. Now? He really likes it! It gets more use than I thought. I don't know if this is an option for you, but he really likes it when I use it on him because I will twist it around and change the rhythm and speed enough that he never knows what to expect from it. We have the Lotus, and honestly, he doesn't reach the "treasure trove of lotus goodness" that apparently exists (???) but you could try (aside from the lube) trying different things with it.
12/21/2010
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
What they said about breaking it in, lube, and getting used to it.

I was very nonplussed on stroker tubes until I got the hang of them. Give'm time and you'll feel how great they can be.
12/21/2010
Contributor: Yoda Yoda
I think they feel good, but certainly nothing like the real thing. I would go for the tighter, textured sleeves.
12/21/2010
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
My guy prefers the Tenga cups to the Fleshlights.

I think, like anything, it's just a matter of what feels good to us as individuals. For him, the bulk of the Fleshlight, the large tube, feel awkward. I figure it's just like any toy - some folks like 'em, some don't.
12/21/2010
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
What they said about breaking it in, lube, and getting used to it.

I was very nonplussed on stroker tubes until I got the hang of them. Give'm time and you'll feel how great they can be.
This. The first few times I did not feel thy deserved the hype, but after breaking in it has started to feel better. I use mine with the least amount of lube I can and find that a bit of friction can help a bunch. I like a thinner lube vs a thicker one as well.
12/21/2010
Contributor: MildOats MildOats
I didn't quite have as strong a negative reaction to my original Fleshlight as CheerfulLoner - the first one I got was the very first one, when it was sold in a purple color with what they now call the "non-descript" opening. The inside was totally smooth with no texture. Interestingly, I found that one to be the most satisfying of all the Fleshlights I ever bought. But it was never as good as my hand, and most importantly, it was such a total pain to clean, that I never went back to it. And then I got a girlfriend who gave great oral, so it sat on my shelf forever.

Several years ago (long after said girlfriend and I split up), I decided to try the new Fleshlight inserts - they had a special where you could buy 4 and get a discount, so I got the STU, the Wonder Wave, the Tight, and something else that I forgot. Maybe I had become jaded by then, but *none* of those seemed very good, which was surprising since I liked the original one which was just a plain insert.

I bought some of the Tengas, the single use ones like the Egg and a few others which I can't remember the names of. Again, feel good, nothing too much to write home about. Most recently I purchased the Tenga Flip Hole White (original), and while it's still nothing like good head it's probably the best of the masturbators I've owned. The fact that it is easy to clean is a bonus.

For some reason, having a *few* large protusions inside the sleeve to me feels best - I think where Fleshlight goes wrong is that they come up with an interesting texture then repeat it endlessly for a long distance so eventually it just feels like "texture" after a few strokings. Tenga's design for the flip hole was smart because it has a few "orbs" which you can distinctly feel inside. The parts where they have "sawtooth" designs do nothing for me.

Anyway, since you were so upset about losing $65 on a Fleshlight, a Tenga Flip Hole may or may not be up your alley since it costs even more. But I'm glad I bought it.
12/30/2010
Contributor: Checkmate Checkmate
Sorry to hear about your less than wonderful experience with you fleshlight. While they have been enjoyable the first time I use them, there seems to be a learning curve with their use. It takes about 10 usages before they seem to reach their full potential as far as sensations. Takes awhile to figure out how much lube to use, how to adjust the suction to level best for me. Some offer better sensations when used with fast thrusts, while often a slower motion provides more intensity.
03/03/2011