The Compact Minivibe is designed with a simple purpose and a simple design: intense vibration in a small package. It's best used as a clitoral vibe, since its rigidity and small stature make it a less-than-ideal penetrative toy (think: hard, plastic object, lodged up where no one can reach it--bad news bears). Even so, it is exceedingly powerful for a clitoral vibe, meaning that some users may not be comfortable with such intensity directly in contact with their most tender bits. For these users, and others who simply enjoy penetrative toys with vibration, it does do a great job as a toy for the first few inches of the vagina, which is the most sensitive part anyways. Just be careful about holding on, as sex toy emergency room trips can be somewhat awkward, or so I've heard.

This sucker is made of hard plastic, all the better to carry its intense vibration, and covered with velvet cote, a material that is silicone based and softer than the hard plastic core. The ridges around the side feel like they're silicone based as well, but I can't confirm that.

Here's the thing about texturing on a strong vibrator. Yeah, it's pretty. If I were running my tongue over it, it'd feel nice. When the vibe is on even its lowest setting, though, the ridges aren't quite extreme enough to be felt. I could tell the difference when I ran different parts of the vibe over my clit, but it wasn't a dramatic difference since the vibrator was so intense to start with.

In this time of political upturn and terrorism alert, I hesitate before writing that this vibrator resembles a missile. It does, though, and I'm willing to risk being put on an FBI watch list to communicate that to all of you. It resembles what missiles would look like if Hello Kitty designed them: cute and pink, with a simple on and off button on the bottom. Actually, that's how they'd look if I designed them, too. In any case, the toy has a great design, perfect for its function. It's simple as can be, which is a nice change from frilled up vibrators on which I can't figure out what's supposed to go where without a 15 page user's guide. There are vertical ridges on the side that add some minimal level of fanciness but, really, this is a simple vibrator for simple people like myself.

To get the batteries (3 triple As) in, twist off the bottom and tap the whole toy (bottom down) against a mattress a couple times and the battery compartment will pop out.

Size is one aspect which is great about this vibe: it's tiny. That means that it can be used in lots of situations, from slipping it into your underwear as you do housework to slipping it between your partner's leg and your bits during sex. Then you can pack it up and fit it into even the smallest of bags!

Because this is a small vibrator, you can basically feel the vibration throughout the toy, though it's somewhat less intense on the handle. I actually found myself holding it through a blanket because the vibration is strong enough to feel vaguely uncomfortable on the fingers, after a few minutes. You control the vibration from a button on the bottom of the missile, and it has five options: low (which is actually high on most vibrators), medium (extra high), high (holy s***, that's high!), pulsing (high high high) and ascending pulsing (high, higher, hot damn). Plus, this vibe is waterproof! Given that water can make some vibrators feel less strong, this was an ideal water toy, as it's strong enough to feel intense even in water.

The truth is that I'm torn between giving this five stars and no stars because, while a wonderful vibrator, it violatedone of the SACRED RULES OF VIBRATORS. That rule (and no, the rulebook isn't printed somewhere; it exists solely in my mind) is that: Thou shalt never make a vibrator where you have to cycle through all the settings before you can turn it off! That said, the controls work smoothly and intuitively.

Use water and soap or a toy cleaner after each use to keep this vibe in perfect working condition. It's waterproof, so don't worry about getting it wet, though I'd take out batteries after every use to prolong their life. Don't use silicone lube with it, as the outer cover is part silicone and will become gummy if used with silicone lube.

No instructions and minimal packaging included with this toy. The implication of the surfer babe and dude on the package about to make out is that this toy will bring you closer to your dream man/woman. This has not been my experience, thus far, but I'll report back later if it does become true.