Ribbed vibe - traditional vibrator by Doc Johnson - review by Red Riding Hood

This is a traditional style vibe that is generally good for most people. It has a ribbed shaft for pleasurable texture and a soft ur3 material that feels wonderful. This is intended for insertion use, but certainly feels good rubbed up and down the vulva or pressed against the clitoris. This is an excellent choice for any toy user (mind the size, though) and especially for those who want to get something out of the ordinary that won't break the bank. It's not really suitable for travel, so this is probably best kept in the bedroom, but that still doesn't make it any less fun!

This is made of ur3, which feels absolutely divine in my opinion. It is a sleeve that is slipped over a traditional vibe, so you don't have to worry about a lack of firmness. The sleeve does give a nice "squish", though, which is something I LOVE in softer materials. The smell is almost like a cross between powder and candy. A bit strong at first, but not super unpleasant. The "powdery" smell could also be just that. Powder. It is common for this to be placed on realistic materials to ensure they don't get sticky or ruined in shipping. Just simply clean the toy really well before use. Not a problem. It tastes just like it smells, which is a bit weird, but most people won't be putting their toys in their mouths anyway. And if you do, it's not terrible. Just not great. The texture of this thing is amazing. I loved it. The ribs and ur3 and everything. It is a bit difficult to clean, so a beginner I find it to be a pain. The coloring DOES rub off, but this can be easily avoided by using a condom.

The design was just okay. I like it, but there's nothing "wow" about it. It's a traditional straight shaft style like the standard "smooth" vibrators you can easily find anywhere that sells toys. What makes this one special is the sleeve. The sleeve is soft and adds texture and girth to the otherwise boring vibrator. The head is slightly realistic and the shaft is ribbed, so there certainly is texture, but some don't like this. It's a bit thick, but did work out okay with some extra lube and time. Once in, it was wonderful. It is a bit big to just tuck under a pillow, so you might want to have a good hiding spot for this one. It's also not convenient to travel with and is a bit on the loud side, so it should probably just stay home. It has a dial base which is easy to use and has a good range of vibration intensities. This is always a plus for me.

The control is a dial at the base of the product. There is a lot of play in it, which I really like. It is a bit loud, so don't expect discretion when using this toy. The vibrations seem to be concentrated at the last three inches of the tip. This makes the product great for clitoral stimulation as well! It isn't waterproof, so be careful when cleaning and avoid using in the bath or shower.

It does take two "c" batteries, and as I don't have a charger that can fit that size of battery, I have to buy new ones. This DOES get annoying and I would have been happier if the product took AAs. The plus side of this is the power the vibe delivers. So, the Cs are worth it!

As this is made of UR3, you will have to contend with slightly difficult cleanup. This can be cleaned with warm water and soap or toy cleaner. This material is prone to attracting dust, hair and all sorts of other nasties. First of all, the best way to combat this is to use a condom. Not only does this make the product safer and the coloring last longer, but it makes cleanup so much easier. When you DO clean, make sure to get in those little creases around the ribs. Lint likes to bunch up there. Once you have cleaned the product, it is a good idea to dust it with a cornstarch before storing it (container, bag) away from like materials that could cause it to "melt". This will keep the texture from becoming sticky. Do NOT use silicone lubricant with this product as it can damage the sleeve.

This product comes in a standard "clam shell" plastic package. There aren't any tacky models on the card insert, so giving this as a gift would be a case-by-case judgment. It's not really "pretty" packaging, but if the person you are buying for doesn't care, then it shouldn't be a problem at all. It works fine as a storage box, but does take up extra space. The only instructions are a little battery insert slip inside the battery compartment.