Crave Flex Series: Ideal Sex Toys for Data-Driven Lady
Have you ever bought a multimode vibrator and wondered how the manufacturer settled on these specific models? (No? I guess I’m the only sex toy nerd here then). It turns out that most manufacturers just take a picture in the dark, but there is one company that can change that by empowering women to find vibration patterns that they really like.
Specifications
The Flex family of vibrators is the latest development from Crave , a San Francisco-based sex toy company. The line includes the Flex, a small single motor vibrator, and Duet Flex, a split-tip twin motor vibrator.
Crave has created programmable versions of both the standard Flex and Duet Flex (currently $ 119 and $ 139, respectively). You can plug any vibrator into a standard USB port, enter your device’s serial number, and access an elegant online interface. There are four different vibrational categories: constant, pulsating, wave, and variable. Each category has four customizable templates for a total of 16 options. Once you’ve made your choice, you download the templates and bring them to your Flex.
Crave is asking early adopters to provide feedback on their favorites, and then they will use that data to pre-program the upcoming version of both Greatest Hits vibrators. If you’re just anxious to find out which models you like, you can also buy their standard Duet vibrator for $ 149.
Both Flex and Duet Flex are made from waterproof, body-safe silicone. These are some of the quietest vibrators I’ve ever heard. They also come with a travel lock, so you’ll never get stuck on the airport security line desperate to find an accidentally activated vibrator.
How to use it
Once programmed, both Flex models work like any standard vibrator. Just turn it on and go! The power button in the middle allows you to toggle between the four main categories, and the up and down buttons navigate through each of the options within the categories.
The Flex Duet has a unique design that is designed to hold your clitoris, not sit on it. You can place the prongs on either end of the clitoris and hold them there, or slide them up and down. If you want direct stimulation of the clitoris, you can hold one prong over the clitoris. The design looks unusual at first, but it is one of the best I’ve come across. Cradling is indeed the perfect word to describe a sensation; it seems like your clitoris is being held … but in a naughty way!
What i loved
I am totally geeked out of getting to choose my own vibration patterns. It made me feel like a special little snowflake. The interface is colorful and easy to use and it’s a lot of fun to make such detailed and specific changes to templates.
To be honest, one of the first impressions of Flex was that it needed a lot of work. I mean 16 different patterns? There are many more solutions. I have tried to discard any notion about the types of vibrational patterns that my body usually likes. I started by saying that each pattern was very different from the others, and then slowly began to hone in on small changes. I found myself taking a bunch of notes and planning several rounds of testing. In the end, I really liked the fact that I put so much emphasis on my own pleasure. I have written earlier about how vibrators can induce a lazy masturbation habit ; Flex made me think more about my experience than ever before. I felt like I could learn a lot about how my body was responding, and was even surprised to find certain patterns that I liked.
What i didn’t like
This is the beef I experience with every vibrator with multiple patterns, but it’s hard to remember which pattern you have. You can only cycle through the patterns in one direction (using the power button), so you constantly have to remember which one is which. Plus, since there are four options for each category, tracking becomes even more difficult.
When I was in the programming phase, I found that remembering which pattern was especially difficult (again, there are 16 of them!) Was the sexiest experience. But, to be honest, it was my fault that I kept track of my choices so precisely. You don’t have to be as anal as I am!
Who should buy it
Geeks. Seriously guys, it’s so much fun to be able to program your own vibrator! There is nothing else like it.
Women who want to know more about their body should buy this too. Many of my clients buy expensive vibrators and then get frustrated that they don’t really enjoy the sensation. While I obviously can’t guarantee that every woman will love Flex, these vibrators can help you learn a lot about your own unique pleasure experience.
Women who don’t like direct clitoral stimulation will love Duet. If vibrators have never been familiar to you before, the Duet version of the Flex might change your mind. The way the prongs wrap around the clitoris seems incredible, but not overwhelming. In addition, many women feel much more sensitive on the sides of the clitoris than on the top.
Last but not least, if you want to contribute to making better vibrators for everyone, I can’t get enough of Crave’s mission with the Flex family. I appreciate how passionate they are about learning what works best for women, instead of just programming some random patterns that some engineer comes up with.
Final verdict
Great design, solid mechanics, thoughtful engineering and the ability to feel like a special snowflake? Need more persuasiveness?