Just to clarify from the start, I have the model of the advanced anal beads which has a total of 4 beads. Also pictured for this toy (at the bottom of the page) is a model which has 6 beads. I'm not sure whether I have an earlier or later model, but regardless, mine is the one with fewer beads.

So the Tantus Advanced anal beads is a probe which has (in my version) four beads on a 9" shaft. The first is 1.1" in diameter, the second 1.2", and the third and fourth both 1.35". So all and all, the Tantus beads are a bit larger than your average set of anal beads, which is great because the larger size enhances the feeling.

I appreciate that these anal beads are molded out of high quality silicone, making them easy to clean up. The beads molded on the "shaft" are completely smooth and free of seams, making it about impossible for anything to get trapped in crevices or the like (I couldn't imagine trying to get the traditional balls-on-a-string style beads clean). They are also simple to sterilize. Tantus suggests washing in the dishwasher, boiling for 3 minutes, or dipping in a 1:10 bleach:water solution (and rinsing afterwards). Remember that with silicone toys, you should avoid silicone lubes; stick with water-based. You can also use oil-based lubes, but not if you plan on using condoms (or other latex barriers or toys) later in that session.

The performance of the Tantus advanced beads is overall good. The shaft is very flexible, which allows them to follow the inner curve of one's ass. Also, due to the smaller first bead, they are fairly effortless to inserting from the start. I sometimes use the beads as my first toy of the night, then as I warm up, I go bigger. The second bead is a bit bigger, and feels a bit more intense. However, the size of the third bead is where you begin to feel a little more "advanced" and the larger diameter makes it very pleasant to pop in. At this point, I like to pull out the third and second bead, then reinsert both, inserting slowly and pulling out quickly. I generally don't pull out the last bead because reinserting it requires a second hand to guide it back in (due to the very flexible shaft). However, popping the second and third beads in and out repeatedly is nice.

You may notice that I didn't mention the fourth bead. This is because getting to the fourth bead requires taking a lot of length. By the time you have inserted the toy to the third bead and are halfway between the third and fourth, you have inserted 6.5" of the toy. The final bead doesn't end until you have inserted almost 8.5" To rest the base of the toy flush with your ass requires 9.5" of insertion. For me, with any toy, I start to feel uncomfortable at about 7", which is with the fourth bead about halfway in. Getting to the last bead gives me that uncomfortable feeling that's hard to describe. I have taken the toy all the way to the base, but it takes a lot of wiggling around to reorient things. Fortunately though, if you want to go to the base, it is large enough to be secure and flexible enough to feel comfortable in place. Though the base is the usual Tantus harness compatible, the shaft is too flexible to use with a harness.

I think it's great that Tantus gave the option to insert really deep and maybe that's one of the qualities that makes this toy "advanced". However, due to the fact there are only four beads spaced out on this length, if you don't insert it all the way, you don't get to use all the beads. And since the first bead is smaller to ease insertion (and has to be guided in with the help of a second hand), I really only get to use two of the beads on the entire toy. I would really like to use the last bead, but putting nearly 9" of toy in my ass is too unpleasant. If there were more beads spaced a little closer together, I think I could get a lot more enjoyment out the the advanced anal beads; I could also have the option to go deeper to take more beads if I wanted. However, in the current configuration, it just isn't quite worth it.

On a better note though, the length of the toy combined with its flexibility could make it useful as a flogger...