Cadet from Pleasure Works

Pros:
- Made from silicone
- Harness compatible
- Smooth surface
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Oddly realistic/unrealistic
- Doesn’t come with storage
Overall:

-Intro/Use-

Cadet from Pleasure Works is a realistic looking silicone dildo.  The slight curve and pronounced head connect to the G-spot with ease, providing a wonderful popping sensation without any discomfort.  Because the base is nice and wide, it’s easy for you or your partner to hold it while thrusting, and the manageable length and softer material make it unlikely for the dildo to cause discomfort

Pretty straightforward and basic, Cadet has a wide, flat base that makes it both harness compatible and anal safe.  Whether you’re in a same sex relationship or enjoy pegging, this dildo is a wonderful option to look into.  The silicone has a decent firmness to it that makes it easy to use while remaining soft enough to create a stimulating and comfortable experience to the receiver.  It’s really too firm to be used as a packer if you want to be modest about it, but works well for gender play in general.

The bottom doesn’t have a bullet hole or suction cup, so it’s pretty standard as far as dildos go.  You could easily add a vibrating cock ring to the base if you’re interested in having it vibrate, but otherwise the stimulation is provided through thrusting the toy.

-Material/Texture-

Cadet is made from silicone which is a body safe material that’s non-porous, latex free, and phthalate free.  It’s a super safe material to use because it can be fully sterilized if sharing with another person or switching between orifices.

The surface of the Cadet is really interesting and I’ve never felt silicone quite like it.  It has this odd smoothness to it, almost buttery smooth while also having a drag to it.  I’ve been sitting here for a few minutes trying to figure out what I can compare it to, but I’m having trouble.  The important thing you need to know is that it does pick up lint, but is also feels nice and smooth too.

The texture of this toy is quite reasonable, having a pretty pronounced head with some light texture, and prominent veins going along only the top area of the shaft.  It’s not so much that it’s going to be too overwhelming for someone that doesn’t care for textures, but is a nice added touch.

The flexibility to this toy is quite nice, having some give but remaining firm enough to apply pressure where it’s needed most.  It’s a little more firm than I expected considering Good Vibrations mentions that this can be used as a pack-and-play item, but in my opinion it’s simply not soft enough to be used in that way.

-Design/Size-

Cadet has some awesome features and was obviously designed to have a realistic look to it, however, it seems like a lot of time and effort was put into the head being detailed, and they just gave up on the shaft.  It really has this odd pieced together look because of it.  As soon as I pulled the toy out of the box I felt like the head and shaft didn’t match up and was rather confused by it.  That being said, the look of the toy certainly doesn’t change the way it feels, and was something I was able to overlook.

My Cadet is the caramel (medium) coloring, but there are two other options; vanilla (light tone), and coffee (dark tone).  It’s only available in flesh tones, no fun and funky colors.

The tip of the toy features the prominent head which is quite detailed, having a urethral hole and all the great vertical lines and wrinkles that are often present on an erect penis.  The shaft is plain apart from the unrealistic looking veins along the top of it, and the base is flat and wide at the bottom.

Cadet is a little above average in size, but someone who isn’t used to penetration would probably feel that it’s just too large.  There are other dildos available from Pleasure Works that would be more suited for a beginner, so make sure you check those out if this one isn’t sized right for you.  The full length of my dildo is 7 1/4″ with 6 1/2″ being insertable.  I found the length was quite reasonable and didn’t disturb my cervix like some longer toys do.  The girth around the head of the toy is 4 1/2″ in circumference, is 5″ halfway down the shaft, and is 5 1/2″ at the base.

-Care-

Cadet can be washed with antibacterial soap and warm water or your favorite sex toy cleaner for regular use.  You do need to pay attention to the small crevasses in the head of the toy since stuff can get trapped there; using a soft bristled toothbrush is your best option.  As I mentioned above, it can also be sterilized using any of the following options; you can clean it with a 10% bleach solution, boil it for three minutes, or place it on the top rack of your dishwasher.

Silicone toys are only compatible with water-based lubricants.  Others could potentially break down the surface of your toy, ruining the smooth feel of it.  As long as you stick with water-based, you have nothing to worry about.

This dildo doesn’t come with storage and the packaging isn’t suitable for long term use.  It’s best to use a plastic Ziploc bag, or a medium to large sized toy pouch; it’s important to keep your toy protected so nothing harms the surface.

-Packaging-

Cadet will arrive in a cardboard box that features images of the toy on the outside and gives some information about the dildo and company.  It’s not discreet, but it’s tasteful considering the nature of this product.  Inside the box, Cadet is sealed in a plastic bag, nothing else is inside of it.  The only information is on the outside, but there really isn’t much to learn from it.  The cardboard is very thin and isn’t great for storage.  You can break it down and dispose of it as you wish.

-Experience-

As soon as I saw the Pleasure Works dildos I was interested in them.  The images on the Good Vibes’ website looked awesome and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on one!  When it arrived and I got to see it up close and in person, I was really confused about the overall look; is it super realistic or not?  I was a little put off by the very detailed head paired with the seemingly unfinished shaft.  I left it for a couple of days, not wanting my opinion to be influenced by the odd look.

The moment I inserted the dildo I was immediately surprised by the feel of it.  It was simply perfect for me!  The level of firmness, how effortlessly it slipped in and out of me; when I closed my eyes it felt exactly like the real thing!  I immediately got over the look of it and couldn’t stop focusing on the realistic feeling it provided.  It gave me that great popping sensation, nuzzled up to my G-spot, and when paired with my go-to clitoral vibe, gave me intensely powerful orgasms.

Just wow!

If you can get past the super realistic to semi-realistic look of this toy, it’s beyond worth it!  The feeling paired with the variety of uses; you can’t go wrong!  If you’re interested in purchasing a Cadet of your own (or one of the other awesome Pleasure Works products) you can click the banner below.

Cadet was provided to me free of charge in exchange for an unbiased review.  This is in compliance with FTC guidelines.

Nox the Night Drake

Pros:
- Made from silicone
- Can be customized
- Unique design
- Stimulating shape
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with storage
- Currently only available in one size
Overall:

-Intro/Use-

Nox the Night Drake from Bad Dragon is a unique and interesting fantasy dildo.  This particular dragon was designed by Hyena Queen (and 3D sculpted by Onissarle) and won the first Bad Dragon Labs contest.  The labs make it possible for anyone to create and submit a product design that they’d like to see created and sold by the company (more information on the labs can be found here).  It’s a great way to get the community involved and spark new and interesting ideas; talk about an already amazing company proving itself to be even more impressive!

Nox is quite a versatile friend.  Like all Bad Dragon dildos, the base on this toy makes it safe to use both vaginally and anally, and has a great curve which helps with stimulating the G-spot and/or P-spot.  It also has a nicely prominent head which provides a great sensation without getting hung up on your pubic bone.  Your exact experience will vary depending on anatomy, but Nox seems like one that should work for most experienced users.

Though it has a nice base to it, it’s really not designed to be a harness friendly toy.  It’s really too large and awkward for it to work well.  That being said, because it can be customized you have the option of adding a suction cup base (more on this later).  The suction cup makes your play time a little more interesting since you can use it in a variety of ways.

-Material/Texture-

Made from premium silicone, Nox is phthalate free, latex free, and non-porous.  It’s a wonderful material for an adult product because it’s safe to use and can be fully sterilized.  This particular silicone has a shiny surface that attracts dust and lint, so make sure you rinse your toy off before each use.  Along with collecting fuzzies, it also has a fair amount of drag to it.  Add some water-based lubricant to the mix and you’re good to go!

Nox is covered with a few different textures; at the base of the head, bumps along the top area of the shaft, what reminds me of muscle along the sides and bottom, and a rocky looking base.  It looks amazing, and is quite subtle during use.  If you’re someone that doesn’t care for much texture, this would be a good choice for you since it’s so light and comfortable.  Apart from the head there aren’t many areas where stuff could get trapped, making it a wonderful choice if you’re considering purchasing this for anal use.

How squishy the material will feel all depends on which firmness you chose.  I’ll be covering that more in the customize section, but will explain the medium (5) firmness here.  There’s a lot of give and flexibility with the firmness (on this toy), which is both good and bad.  The give makes the material much easier to handle if you’re not used to larger toys, but it also flexes a little bit easier than I had hoped.  The dildo tends to bend a little when you’re inserting it, making it more difficult to use, especially when you’re trying to ride it.

I did also notice that since it’s so soft, it’s easy to accidentally leave nail marks.  While I was cleaning Nox after a session, I saw that I had left a small impression in the side of the silicone and a few just underneath the head (from trying to insert it).  So you don’t have to deal with this happening to you, make sure your nails are nicely trimmed before playing with your dragon.  Be impressed by it, don’t leave impressions, it’s heartbreaking.

-Design/Size-

Bad Dragon has some seriously amazing products, and it’s hard not to want one of each in just about every size and color.  However, when I saw Nox I knew I had to claim it as my own.  The look was so interesting to me, from the muscular look to the rocky base, I was simply drawn to it!  The tip of the head has a small dimple resembling the urethral hole (which is also where your cum tube would fit if you chose that option), and the details of the shaft and base are truly impressive.  While it does have a phallic shape to it, it doesn’t resemble a human penis in anyway.

There are many different color options you can choose from, but I fell in love with the toy exclusive color.  The product page says it’s “A light magenta tip faded to light purple with a dark purple base. Metallic throughout.”

The metallic is no joke!  The shimmer and shine of the coloring is truly stunning and so gorgeous to look at!  It amazes me how the colors blend so beautifully and the shimmer adds even more to it!

As mentioned earlier, one of the options you have is whether or not you want a suction cup base.  I opted to try one out since my last Bad Dragon dildo didn’t have one.  I must say, I’m extremely impressed with how strong they are!  Every other dildo I’ve used with a suction cup base needed to be used on a chair or the shower wall.  The way this one is designed creates a strong enough suction that it will even hold on my bedroom wall!  Even tugging on it didn’t make it budge, and yet, it’s so simple to intentionally break the suction by lifting up part of the base.

Nox is currently only available in one size, but will feature three additional size options and become a mainline product if enough people show interest in it.  The one size available is medium which Bad Dragon considers

An intermediate size, suited for most people wanting something a little bit bigger than ‘human sized’.

That description feels truly spot on for this toy.  It’s fairly large in size, but is suitable for experienced users who prefer some girth and length.  After reviewing the medium Crackers, I’m surprised at how different this one is in size.  The Crackers felt very large to me, but this one is more suitable for regular use and feels more fitting for their description.  It just goes to show how different each design is and the importance of paying close attention to the measurements of each toy prior to purchasing.

-Customizing-

Once of the best things about ordering a toy from Bad Dragon, is how you’re able to make it completely unique to fit your needs.  Nox is only available in one size for now, as I previously stated, but most of their dildos are available in three to four different sizes.  Other than that, you can fully customize your Nox like you can any other piece from Bad Dragon.

Firmness – There are a total of five firmness options to choose from.  The last two options (Split Firm and Split Wide) are available at an additional cost, but paying a little extra is worth it to get the feeling you’re hoping for.  If you plan on getting a toy with a suction cup, I would highly recommend spending the extra to get a Split Firm.  If you’re unsure which firmness is right for you, you can order a sample set that will gives you a good idea of what will work for you.

1. Soft (3) – which is best for the larger toys
2. Medium (5) – feels pretty realistic, great for small to medium sized toys
3. Firm (8) – will make the texture most obvious, also best for smaller toys
4. Split Firm – shaft of the toy in medium, base of the toy in firm
5. Split Wide – shaft of the toy in soft, base of the toy in firm

Cumtube – A cumtube is a silicone tube in the center of the toy that helps bring another realistic element to your dildo.  Using a syringe, you can make it look like you’re dildo is ejaculating.  Grittywoman has a great example in her review of what you can expect if you order your Nox with this option.  If you choose the cumtube, there is an additional cost, but you also receive a bottle of their cumlube and a syringe.

Suction Cup – This option is also available for an additional charge but is well worth it!  Instead of the base being totally flat, it’s formed into a super strong suction cup.  It doesn’t extend from the dildo, but is in the base of it.  If you choose to get a cumtube, this option isn’t available, you can only choose one or the other.

Colors - The color options are practically limitless!  There is one toy exclusive color option for Nox, but you can go pretty wild with choosing your own.  You can choose one solid color, split colors (base and shaft different colors), fades, split fades (solid colored base, faded shaft), marbled, etc.  The cost in this area of customizing will vary entirely on your color choices.  Getting a solid color is cheapest (free if you choose one available for Nox, $5 if you want a solid custom), and it goes up from there with the split fade being the most expensive at $40.

There’s a disclaimer on the site that says:

Disclaimer: All custom colors will be attempted, but cannot be guaranteed due to the nature of the silicone. Orders cannot be changed after 24 hours from time of purchase. Those who wish to alter their order after the 24 hour period will be charged a 20% restocking fee.

Also keep in mind that because these toys are custom made, it takes longer than normal orders.  Vising this page will give you a good idea of the wait times.  While it’s difficult to wait, it’s well worth it when you’re waiting on your customized dildo.

-Care-

Silicone is great because it’s so easy to clean!  Nox can be washed with antibacterial soap and warm water or your favorite toy cleaner for regular use.  The base may need a little extra attention because of the detail, but it’s not difficult to clean.  If you’re planning on sharing with someone else or switching orifices, it’s important to sterilize the toy.  No matter how you customized your toy, you can clean it the same way; a 10% bleach solution, boiling for three minutes, or placing it on the top rack of your dishwasher.

Water-based lube is your safest bet to use with this dildo.  Using a different type could potentially cause damage to the surface of your toy, so it’s better to stick with what you know is safe.  Bad Dragon makes two different lubes (the white I linked to earlier and a clear option) that are totally safe and can be purchased along with your dildo.

Nox doesn’t come with a storage box or bag, which is really too bad.  It will fit inside a gallon sized Ziploc or a large toy pouch, but it would be nice if they included pouches since some of their toys are so large.  Perhaps something they would consider for the future?

-Packaging-

Your Nox will arrive in a plain brown box that doesn’t have anything on it to give away what it contains.  When you open it up, the toy is sealed in a plastic bag but isn’t immediately in view because it’s surrounded by tissue paper.  There’s no paperwork included and nothing that can be used for storage.  The plastic bag doesn’t reseal, so you can simply dispose of it.

-Experience-

Nox is my second Bad Dragon dildo and certainly won’t be my last.  I was in love with the design from the moment I saw it and the feeling only intensified once it was in my hands.  The silicone feels amazing, the details are impressive, and the color is outstanding with the gorgeous metallic sheen to it.

The first thing I noticed was how much more reasonable the size was than Crackers.  Both are a size medium, but are shaped very differently.  Nox is one I can use anytime, it is larger than a lot of my other toys, but I was pleased to see it’s something I can use more often than not.

The size and shape are truly amazing together!  The girth gives me a full and slightly stretched feeling without needing to warm up with other toys, and stimulates all the right areas.  I did find it to be a little too long when I fully inserted it, but that’s easily fixed by not using the full length.  The texture wasn’t very obvious to me, since I’m not very sensitive internally in general, and I actually liked it since I was able to truly appreciate the shape and stimulation it provided without being distracted by anything.

Most impressive to me is the suction cup and how amazingly strong it is!  It doesn’t slip, it doesn’t fall off, it remains in place as long as you want it to.  That being said, there were a couple little issues with the firmness of the material paired with the base.  In the medium firmness (5), it flexes really easily, so it was impossible for me to back up against the wall to use the toy.  The girth and the give don’t work well together.  Riding it while it’s on a flat surface worked really well, but I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t back up against it like I hoped.  Next time, I’ll be considering a Split Firmness and a suction cup to see if that makes a difference.

I love Nox, and I can’t imagine anyone not enjoying this dildo.  Interested in purchasing your own?  Click the banner below.

Nox was kindly provided to be free of charge in exchange for an unbiased review.  This is in compliance with FTC guidelines. 

 

 

Gigi 2 from Lelo

Pros:
- Rechargeable
- Waterproof
- Variety in function
- Beginner friendly
- Made from body safe materials
Cons:
- Could be more powerful
- Might be too small for some
Overall:

-Use-

Gigi 2 from Lelo is a rechargeable vibrator that’s best used on the female anatomy.  The subtle curve and flat broad head help it connect with the G-spot but is also great for pleasuring the clitoris, nipples, and other erogenous areas of the body.  The size and shape keep the focus on your pleasure zones while inserted and are reasonable for all experience levels.

Being reasonably sized and easy to use, the controls can also be put in the hands of your partner; allowing your pleasure to be controlled by them.  The tip of the toy can easily be used on the male form as well, providing great vibrations to the penis, testicles, and perineum.  Anal insertion isn’t safe because it doesn’t have a flared base, but you can use it externally in that area.

Though it doesn’t have a plug on the bottom, there’s no concern about water leaking inside the charging port because of the way it’s designed.  It makes me nervous just looking at it, but it’s totally sealed and safe to use in the tub or shower without concern.

-Material/Texture-

Made from silicone and ABS plastic, Gigi 2 is completely body safe, non-porous, latex free, and phthalate free.  The base and internal parts are made from plastic and the silicone is only a coating over the insertable area of the toy.  Because of that, the whole toy is very firm and doesn’t have any flexibility or give to it.

The surface is buttery smooth and glides easily along the skin but does pick up super fine lint.  Make sure you always rinse or wipe it clean before use since it does attract small particles.

There’s no texture to the toy, instead the Gigi 2 is designed to keep your focus on targeted stimulation.  On either side of the base there’s an obvious seam, and where the silver area connects can also be felt, but these aren’t areas that will be inserted, so they’re only felt with your hands.

-Design/Size-

The Gigi 2 is available in four great colors: Deep Rose, Turquoise Blue, Pink, and the new Cool Grey.  The colors are all pretty vibrant apart from the grey, but they’re all fun and inviting.  The look of this toy is nice and simple, having the controls in a convenient location and being very straightforward in design.  It’s quite small and very lightweight which is great for longer sessions, but sort of gives it a cheaper feeling when you’re holding onto it.

The bottom of the toy has the charging port, the buttons are located on the plastic base of the toy, and the insertable silicone portion has a nice curve with a slightly hooked tip.  The end of the toy is where it will shine for most.  The broad flat end is a wonderful design because of how it connects with your body.  The curve just before the tip might get a little hung up on your pubic bone, but it’s small enough that it shouldn’t create too much of an issue.

Being pretty basic is really nice because it makes this a great step up from a traditional vibrator to something geared toward G-spot stimulation without having to worry about it being too girthy.  The total length is 6 1/2″ with 3 5/8″ being insertable.  It should be long enough to hit most G-spots without being so long it’s uncomfortable.  The thickest area of the toy is around the tip where it’s 3 3/4″ in circumference.  It’s only 3″ around below the head and slowly increases to 3 1/4″ before coming in contact with the plastic base.  It’s very reasonable in size for a newer toy user, but might feel a little small to someone who’s more experienced

The tip of the toy is quite similar to Ella which is a silicone dildo from the same company.  It’s no longer sold on the Lelo website, but can be found at a variety of adult retailers.  The head is a little stubbier on the Gigi 2 than the Ella, but they have a very similar design.  Below you will also see the Gigi 2 compared to the Mona 2, also available from Lelo.

-Functions/Controls-

One of the first things I look for in a vibe is how it’s powered, and rechargeable always beats the rest!  Gigi 2 has an exposed charging port in the base of the toy that connects to a wall adapter.  The vibe takes about two hours to charge and the circle surrounding the buttons will flash when it’s plugged in and charging.  Once the charge is complete, you have up to two hours of playtime.  Though the port is open, it’s totally safe to use in and around water.

The buttons are a little funny to press, but aren’t terribly difficult.  There are a total of four; two to control the intensity (and turn on and off) and two to cycle through the eight patterns.  To turn the toy on, you need to press and hold down the plus button.  Once it’s turned on you can continue to hold down the plus button or press it to increase the level of intensity.  If you find it’s too intense, you can press the minus button to bring it back down.  Continuing to hold the minus button down will keep decreasing the power and will eventually turn the toy off.

The up and down arrows control which pattern the toy is on.  There are a total of eight and provide a good variety.  Before you can start the different patterns, you first have to press the plus button to turn the toy on.  The toy turns on to the only steady vibration setting, and every press of the up arrow will bring you to the next pattern.  Once you’ve reached the eighth pattern, you have to press it back down if you want a different setting, you can’t keep cycling through them.

Each time you press a button, the ring around it illuminates, but immediately turns off as soon as you let up on the button.  It doesn’t glow while it’s on or based on any of the settings, it only glows when a button is pressed down.

The eight patters are as follows:

1. Steady Vibrations
2. Slow Pulse
3. Medium Pulse
4. Fast Pulse
5. Surging
6. Short Roller Coaster
7. Long Roller Coaster
8. Crazy Mix Of Everything

The level of intensity varies.  The lowest setting is so low it might not be enough for even those who are extremely sensitive, and the highest setting is much more powerful, but might not quite be enough for the power queens.  The vibrations are deep and rumbly and don’t make you feel numb while you’re using it.  It travels well through the toy, but doesn’t make your fingers tingle while you’re holding it.

The sound level is also very modest.  On the lowest settings someone in the same room wouldn’t even be able to hear you, but on the highest setting it’s safe to say no one would hear you from outside a closed door.

-Care-

Being waterproof, you can easily wash your toy with antibacterial soap and warm water or your favorite sex toy cleaner.  If you’re planning on sharing you can also clean it using a 10% bleach solution, but you need to avoid boiling or placing it in the dishwasher to sterilize because of the internal parts.

Since it’s made from silicone, it’s important to use only water-based lubricants with it and a little goes a long way since it’s so nice and smooth.  Using a silicone-based lube could cause the surface of your toy to degrade, ruining the nice surface.

Storing the toy is simple since Lelo provides a lovely storage pouch along with your toy and has elegant packaging as well.  The pouch isn’t padded, it only protects against surface damage, so make sure you keep it somewhere it won’t likely fall.

-Packaging-

Lelo takes a lot of pride in providing nice packaging along with your toy.  Gigi 2 arrives in their regular fashion; thin cardboard sleeve containing some information and an image of the toy, and a sturdier black box inside that’s much more discreet.  The top of the box has the company name on it, but apart from that nothing gives away what it contains.

Once the lid is removed from the box, Gigi 2 is in full view, nestled inside a foam bed that’s designed to fit the toy perfectly.  At the base is a small flap that when lifted up, exposes the charger, storage pouch, lube sample, authenticity card, and generic instruction booklet.  The booklet only provides the most basic information but does mention their warranty terms and conditions and basic use of the toy.

The included pouch makes it unnecessary to use the box itself for storage, though I always keep mine anyway.  The pouch closes with a drawstring and is silky to the touch.  It has a small tag on the side with the company name, but is quite discreet in general.

-Experience-

I never had a chance to grab Gigi, so when I heard they were coming out with an upgraded version of this highly rated toy, I was beyond thrilled to try it out.  The Gigi 2 has some great upgrades that include a softer silicone, 100% more power, and is now fully waterproof.  Now, I can’t compare it to the first, but I can say that the silicone is nice and soft, and after testing it in the water I know that it’s fully waterproof, but I have no way to compare the power level.  After having used the Ina 2 and Mona 2 I was expecting to be blown away, but it doesn’t match the power of those.  Granted, the others are larger in size, so that might be part of it, but the Gigi 2 isn’t too shabby.

When I first held it in my hands and turned it on, I didn’t think it was going to work for me at all.  I’m a total power queen and I need my toys to be quite powerful in order to enjoy them.  I tried it out with doubt in my mind and wasn’t at all surprised that it fell short of my hopes.  Disappointed, I waited another few days before trying it again.  This time, I decided to forget about the other Lelo products I have and just experience this one for exactly all that it is.

Surprisingly enough, my feelings changed.

I tried using it internally and while it did connect well with my G-spot, it did nothing but tease me.  When I switched it up and used it externally, that’s when I was surprised.  I’m someone that enjoys really pin-point stimulation, so when I found myself enjoying this one, I was rather surprised.  I used the side of the broad head against the side of my clit and it was awesome!  It’s not as powerful as I would like it to be, but it was almost more relaxing as a result.  I didn’t feel like I was having to fly through my orgasms, I was allowing them to gradually build and were quite powerful as a result.

For me, internal stimulation was a no-go, but external stimulation was awesome, especially since there’s a decent handle to this one that prevented my hand from cramping up during use.

I don’t know how much better this one is compared to the first, but I’d say it’s worth checking out.  The modest size, variety in function, and decent power all make it great for users of any experience level!

Interested in picking up your own Gigi 2?  Click the banner below to check out this vibe and others from Lelo.

Gigi 2 was provided to me free of charge in exchange for an unbiased review.  This is in compliance with FTC guidelines.