I received the Hitachi a few days after Christmas from a friend, gaily boxed in the nerdiest packaging ever. There's a few very retro looking women in pink spandex using the wonderful massager on their arms, shoulders, neck, etc. I'm pretty amused by the fact that the packaging doesn't seem to have been modified or updated since it arrived on the US market in the 1970s. But I suppose that this kind of packaging lends itself to the relatively innocuous appearance of the Hitachi...

Upon unpacking the toy (a simple plastic sleeve inside the box) the retro/innocuous massager theme is confirmed. The Hitachi is not\ sexy-looking. It's sturdy and utilitarian. It's also huge--about the size of my forearm and with a head slightly smaller than my fist. The head is made of an interesting rubbery material with some texture. It's on a flexible stem that attaches it to the handle. It plugs into the wall outlet for power. No more chasing batteries when I want to masturbate! This could be a drawback for people who enjoy portable pleasure--Hitachi won't be joining you on your next wilderness adventure. (It would drown out the sounds of nature anyway.)

As far as materials go, Edenfantasys and other sites state that the Hitachi's head is made from plastic and that it is pthalates-free; however, Adam and Eve report that it's made of vinyl. I trust EF, but I would feel better with further confirmation. This article states clearly that phtalates are used in vinyl. That same article discusses concerns over phthalates and other plasticizers that have been raised between the 1980s and the present. Now, if the Magic Wand has not changed since the 70s; (not to mention that it was not necessarily built for genital contact) should we trust that Hitachi has bucked the norm of using pthalates in today's wands?

The jury's still out on a definitive answer, but seems that a condom can provide some protection. You should also make sure to do that if you're going to use this toy on someone else! Because the material is non-sterilizable, it's a good idea to use best-practices when sharing. Soap and water or a toy-cleaner will suffice for regular cleaning.

Another way to address phthalate concerns could be to use an attachment made of a confirmed body-friendly material. There are tons of attachments available, both here on Edenfantasys and elsewhere on the web. Many of these attachments are made of silicone or other sterilizable materials. So in addition to adding some extra dimensions of pleasure to your time with your Magic Wand, you can make the experience a safer one! I plan to try out one of the attachments that make this toy into a penetrative experience--truly taking the magic inside.

There is no smell and no taste to the plastic. It operates via a simple two-speed switch, offering 5000 and 6000rpm speeds. The vibration is a deep, rumbling sort of vibration. I can't use it on my clitoris on high--this thing is POWERFUL. Unfortunately, with great power comes great...noisiness. It sounds like a small engine running. I live in an apartment with thin floors, so I crank the tunes.

Because it is not silicone, you can use any lubes. Just make sure they're compatible with condoms or additional toys. No oil-based lubes with latex condoms! And if you're using a silicone toy/attachment simultaneously, don't lube up your Wand with silicone lube!

I found it best used on the vulva/clitoris, though it could make me feel "itchy" afterwards. I attribute this to the intense vibration. Using the wand at various angles allows one to achieve the kind of stimulation most preferred. Using it “long-ways,” with the side of the head pressed against the clitoris gave the most direct vibrations. Pressing the top point to the clitoris provides a somewhat more diffuse effect. Try pressing the wand against their perineum, or stroke along the underside of their cock.

I love a little external anal stimulation—this worked, but it was a bit intense. For anal lovers, there are lots of great attachments that can make this toy your dream! And the fact that they attach to the bulbous head of the Hitachi means that they are safe from being pulled all the way into the rectum.

By the way, the Hitachi does indeed work as a wonderful muscle massager. If anything, that opens the door for a sexy segue....

Traveling with this toy might be a pain, although I feel like TSA agents have probably come across plenty of Hitachi Magic Wands in this day and age. It can always be passed off as a back/muscle massager...yeah? EF makes it clear on the description of this toy, by the way, that it is designed for US power circuits only.

If you're into BDSM or submissive kinkiness, this toy is really wonderful for forced-orgasm play. We have a Sportsheets Under-The-Bed Restraint System installed on our bed in our house, and my wonderful partner used that and the Wand to provide me with an incredibly unforgettable experience. He restrained all four of my limbs with the system, applied a bit of lube to the toy, and then crouched over me with it. By applying the head of the Hitachi Magic Wand mercilessly (and I mean that--I was thrashing around and everything) to my clit, I was made to orgasm three times within 20 minutes. Usually it takes me about 20 minutes to get there for one! The experience was extremely intense and just as uncomfortable as it was pleasurable (but I'm into that kind of thing!) If you do something like this, make sure you discuss the scene with your partner in depth, and agree on a safeword for if you get too overwhelmed and need to stop. Have fun exploring your kinky side with the Hitachi!

I've also found that the Hitachi can be used to "add" vibrations. I turned the Wand on high and pressed it to the base of one of my favorite dildos. The powerful vibrations were channeled through the toy and made it a vibrator. It's a bit difficult to wrangle this--perhaps someone needs to invent a Magic Wand dildo harness?

If I pressed the Wand while on against my forearm, I could make my hand vibrate, and thus give my partner a vibrating hand-job!