Pure silicone b.o.b. - traditional vibrator by Cal Exotics - review by Pleasure Piratess

PACKAGING

B.O.B. (battery operated buddy) arrived in California Exotics standard packaging. While not discreet, the clear plastic box with deep pink and purple words and design is both feminine and fun. Inside, BOB is housed in a clear plastic tray that slides out with a small instruction page in 6 languages on how to insert the batteries, troubleshooting, and general use information. The box could easily be wrapped for gift-giving or used for storing, although a toy pouch would take up less room.

USE / DESIGN / SIZE

I'll admit, I wasn't overly excited about this product until I seen it in person and realized what a quality vibrator he is. BOB is simplistic, yet thoughtful in function and design. He is a slim-line toy, great for those who prefer smaller shafts and is perfect for vaginal or anal penetration, and could be incorporated into couple's play. A word of caution to anal users; BOB's flared-base is only 1 3/4” diameter, a noticeable difference to his 1” diameter shaft, especially with the nubs at the base. But for those who are over-enthusiastic and may be tempted to over-insert, look elsewhere.

I did notice that according to Eden's product page and the box itself, BOB is 6 1/2” long with a 1 3/4” diameter, which is misleading. BOB has a 1” diameter shaft that dilates to 1 3/4” over the balls/base, which are not intended to be inserted. Insertion-wise, he is 4 1/2” to the triangle nubs, or 5” to the base should you choose to insert the nubs. The total toy including the controller is 8”.

Personally, I'm not crazy about slim-line toys, and BOB is on the small side for me vaginally. He does make a great back-door buddy though. And while he was unable to angle to my g-spot (I need a definite hook), he works great for thrusting without being so long as to bruise the cervix. He is small enough to fit in a medium-size purse and would make a great multifunction toy for travel. But since he is quite obviously a sex toy, I recommended putting him in your suitcase to prevent anyone accidentally discovering him. Don't forget to take the batteries out to prevent accidental powering!

MATERIAL / TEXTURE

One first opening my BOB I noticed only the slightest hint of “new product” smell, which quickly dissipated after cleaning. I did not taste him. To the touch, BOB has velvety-soft, skin-like silicone with a plastic controller (non-porous, phthalates-free, body-safe) that slides easily across the skin without lube with only the slightest amount of drag. With only a small amount of lube he becomes super slippery making for easy penetration and is perfect for beginners. Fortunately, he does warm quickly to body temperature. With a moderate squeeze, he has some give, but he is not at all floppy. Since the motor is in the bottom half of the shaft and base, it is completely immobile there. However, the top half does have a moderate amount of flex that makes BOB feel more gentle than his rigid counterparts, but not flexible enough to angle for g-spotting.

Mocking a real penis, BOB has two raised wrinkles under his head and slightly raised veins all along the shaft that add visual appeal, but only a slight amount of extra sensation internally. Along the top and bottom is a seam that runs the entire length of the shaft and balls. The seam is blended very well and almost undetectable on the head, but is slightly more noticeable on the shaft, where is tends to look like another vein. I did not feel it at all internally. One other feature that creates texture is the triangle of large flexible nubs at the base of the shaft. They create an interesting, more noticeable sensation at the entrance, although some may prefer not to insert them if that much texture is not desired. I think the best way to use the nubs would be on the clit as a warm-up to penetration.

FUNCTIONS / PERFORMANCE / CONTROLS

This 10 function vibrator is powered with 2 AA batteries which slip easily into the battery chamber and the lid turns to lock so that the controls are always facing up. The vibrations themselves are concentrated in the tip and gradually dissipate down the shaft and are barely felt at the base. The vibrations high-frequency, with a buzzy-quality that are slightly deeper than simple surface buzzy (he's a bit stronger than my Lelo Nea on high). The controller is super easy to use and reach during play. Featuring two buttons, a power button for turning the toy on and off quickly (yay, emergency off!) and another button that cycles through the vibration patterns, which are as follows:
#1) constant steady high vibes 333333333333333333
#2) constant steady moderate vibes 222222222222222222
#3) constant steady low vibes 111111111111111111
#4) throbby escalating to high (my fav) 1.1.2.2.3.3.1.1.2.2.3.3
#5) low to moderate pulse without pause 121212121212121212
#6) moderate to high pulse without pause 232323232323232323
#7) high pulse with pause 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
#8) fast low to high pulse 131313131313131313
#9) extended high pulse with pause 333 333 333 333 333
#10) throbby escalating to moderate 1.2.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.2

I love that this vibrator remembers the last setting it was used on and will return to it when powered back on so I don't have to scroll trying to find it again. BOB is fairly quiet. On his loudest setting in a completely silent house I just barely make out his sound through a closed door, and the sound does tend to be muted a bit when he is inserted. But he is not the quietest toy I own either. He is waterproof and I have had no problems when using him in the shower, but in the tub the sound of the vibrations become very loud, so I don't tend to use him this way.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

As with all silicone toys, use only with water-based lube and clean with mild-soap and warm water. A 10% bleach solution or rubbing alcohol can be used to sanitize between partners or orifices (or just use a condom). Avoid boiling water or dishwashers as it would ruin the internal motor. Surprisingly, BOB does not collect much lint for a silicone toy and can be stored in his original packaging, or preferably a toy pouch (be sure to add one to your order as one is not included) with your other silicone toys. Avoid storing with cyberskin or jelly toys as they may create a melting reaction. To extend battery-life, remove batteries between uses. I have noticed that BOB is not a battery-guzzler, even with extended use the battery-life tends to hold-up pretty well.

I know I've said this before, but there really needs to be an "I still like it, but..." button. Because what I really want to say is that this would be the perfect toy, for someone else. The vibes are great, the design and quality is there, I just prefer girthier toys. And with so many others that fit me better, this one doesn't get the attention it should.
On a recent revisit, I fired it up to find that the batteries were still going strong, and no decrease in power. But after an unexciting time, I decided the best I could do was recycle the batteries to another toy.