The Hitachi has its flaws, but there is still no other toy I have found that can quite do what it does best: vibrate the living daylights out of just about anything.

Hoooooly crap. I've had the Hitachi for about a year now, and it still surprises me just about every time I turn it on. Sometimes I use it over panties or pajamas and it's still a bit much.

When it came in the mail, I was somewhat surprised to see how... innocuous the box was. It really is meant to be marketed as a massager, so I guess it makes sense. I plugged it in, turned it on, and almost jumped out of my skin from both the deafening buzz and the bone-rattling vibrations. I am not exaggerating in the least when I say I used it over my jeans, and quite successfully.

Occasionally I can have difficulty reaching orgasm, especially if I've had a beer or two. I know, though, that no matter what state I'm in, the Hitachi will get me all the way there without a hitch. I can honestly say that there hasn't been a time when I plugged this thing in that I didn't have an orgasm within 10 minutes.

I often find myself using only the lower setting. I've found that I like the lower frequency of this setting much better than the higher setting, which feels like it has the same amplitude ("strength") but just a higher frequency ("buzziness").

All that vibration comes at a cost, however. It is not a petite toy. This thing is about as big as my forearm and about as heavy. This can make it difficult to use in some positions and for extended periods of time. It is also LOUD. If I can't wait until my housemates are out, I use it under a pile of blankets, and even then I worry that they can still hear it.

While it isn't my favorite vibrator, it definitely has its time and place.