As you've gathered by now, the Hitachi is powerful and could be the most powerful vibrator on the market. Since it was originally made to be a back and body massager, this is understandable. Because Hitachi is not ever going to market this as a sex toy from their end of things, don't expect anything pretty or sexy. In fact it's quite retro.

The head is white and plastic/vinyl, but it isn't smooth. It has this faux leather texture to it. This texture can make it a bit hard to clean. You can't tell if the fluids it came in contact with are clear, but if you should use it at the beginning or tail-end of your period, this is when you'll really get to see just how difficult it is. You can't just wipe it off easily, you really do need to scrub. I always use the Afterglow Toy Tissues. While this will not disinfect it and make it safe to be used on a person you are not fluid-bonded with, it will clean it quite sufficiently for your own uses.

There are two ways to go about sharing the Hitachi with others who want more than a back massage. The easiest and most readily available would be condoms. If you are a prolific squirter then a condom is really useful - just unroll it farther down until you reach the plastic body. This covers up any exposed bit that cannot get wet. The second way, my preferred way, is to use the Pleasure Dome. It's silicone, it's a cap that goes over the head for easy on and off, and can be sterilized like any silicone toy. Even for just being easier to clean it for yourself, I think it should be bought with the massager.

The vibrations that you get from this massager are very different. White papers say that the top speed is 6000 rpm and the low speed is 5000 rpm. Those numbers probably don't mean much to you because 99% of other sex toys don't come with specs like that. Suffice to say, this baby is strong. But it's more than strong. It offers a deep vibration. Since this was meant to relax body muscles, the vibrations must penetrate deep. And they do! This isn't just going to stimulate your clit - the portion that sticks out - it's going to stimulate the clitoral "legs"that are inside and part of the internal shaft. You're going to get a much more intense orgasm from this because it is not simply vibrating the clitoral head.

The head is 2.5" wide. There are many many attachments made specifically for this toy. A number of those attachments can work on other electric massagers, but most were made specifically for the Hitachi. Since the head diameter varies on these other massagers, getting a good fit might not always be guaranteed. I reviewed a number of the more popular attachments available here at EdenFantasys at my blog to compare them and figure out what all fits on what.

I gave this rating only a 4 out of 5 for noise level because it IS noisy, but it doesn't have an obnoxious rattle or something. The noise is two-tone - deep sounds and a higher pitched whine. I have run this toy under my comforter with the bedroom door open, while my roommate was out in the living room watching TV and they were none the wiser. In a quiet house though it will be heard, and would be heard over the sounds of a shower as well (remember bathrooms echo). If you want to hear how loud it is, and in comparison to other similar vibrators, you can check out my comparative review on the plug-in style massagers which also compares all features of the Hitachi to the CalExotics MM counterparts.

Yes the head of the Hitachi gets warm after a while. I have never found it to be "hot" or need to turn it off for fear of burning my privates. It was, however, hot enough after 15-20 minutes to slightly melt the G-spot attachment for the Miracle Massager (its PVC and apparently has a lower heat tolerance). Using the Pleasure Dome can really help with this if you're using it longer than 10-15 minutes.

It weighs 1.25 pounds - it's no lightweight but it's really not that much more heavy than similar masssagers on the market.

The Hitachi really has multiple uses. Of course it honestly can be used as its intended purpose, a muscle massager, and then as a simple clit vibrator. How I use it as a vibrator really depends on how responsive my clit is that day and how much stimulation she needs. Sometimes I will spread my lips and apply the head directly to my clit. Sometimes I will use it with my labia as a barrier between it and my clit. I have known of other women who will use a barrier of their panties, jeans, or a towel if they're just too sensitive. You can still get good use from it this way, so long as you press down and get it to stimulate those internal clitoral legs.

Because of the sheer strength of the Hitachi, it can be used to vibrate other toys. I absolutely adore using it with my Jollie dildo, it'll vibrate the whole thing from clit to g-spot. Press it against the base of a good anal plug for extra fun. I've even used it lightly on my boyfriend during oral sex, the addition of intense vibrations at the base of his cock makes his eyes roll back in his head. Or conversely, while giving head, I'll lay on my stomach and put the Hitachi on my Liberator and straddle it (the "wrong" way). Be forewarned that doing this, or even just laying the Hitachi on the bed, vibrates whatever it is on. It makes it a lot louder. I'd say only try this is noise factor isn't an issue for you. He likes it when I do this though, as the moans I'm making from the feel of the Hitachi also feel great on his cock!

For BDSM usage you can get these belts elsewhere that hold the Hitachi, or similar items, right against the womans mound.

I know, it's almost wrong for me to say I don't like it anymore. But it's true! I haven't picked this thing up in well over a year. I'll use either the Climax Twist or the Mystic Wand or the Wahl. I'd only recommend this if you need something with WHOA POWER to travel through other objects. That's just me, though. I prefer the type of vibrations found in the above-mentioned similar massagers.