I have realistic hopes for a bullet vibe that operates on 2 AAA batteries. I generally assume it's not going to be as strong as some other options and don't denigrate it for failing to be as powerful as something charged by a set of Ds or even AAs. But I expect my bullet vibes, regardless of their battery requirements, to work consistently. I expect that if the bullet offers differing speeds for those various speeds to feel distinctly different from each other. I also expect to be able to figure out how to turn it off without opening the battery compartment, by, let's say, pressing the "on/off" switch.

Call me crazy, tell me I have ridiculous expectations.

But this 10x power bullet only met my requirements on (a brief) first use. All subsequent adventures were marred by malfunctions. Had I just used this vibe once and written a review, you'd be reading a relatively glowing account of a small, cute contraption that was simple to use and relatively effective. My first experience was a very quick jaunt with a brand new pair of batteries and I was left satisfied. The process of inserting the batteries was surprisingly not super intuitive, even though the plastic has clear markers for which end should be positive and negative. I could swear I put them in right at least once before it decided to work.

That first usage I checked that it cycled through several speeds and settings. It was pretty comparable to any multi-speed vibe: the first three levels were just increases in intensity, followed by a range of changing vibration patterns that included quick on-and-off, roller coaster and other common features. I rarely prefer those extra features, but I wanted to make sure they worked for the benefit of a comprehensive review. Everything was fine, perfectly adequate, albeit not earth-shaking.

The next time I used it was with a partner. We fumbled repeatedly trying to get the batteries in right. Helpful note: storing batteries inside the toy is a super bad idea- it just makes them drain faster, so keep them next to the toy and only insert them when it's time for use. Again, I was certain I had them aligned properly at least once before it turned on. Then, in the course of use, the bullet committed the cardinal sin of vibes, the most heinously frustrating thing a sex toy can do: randomly stop and start. It just simply halted without warning. If I pushed the "on" button, it came right back on for a random, unpredictable period of time and then stopped, regardless of the angle at which it was held. Eventually I grew so irate that I tossed it aside and grabbed another, more reliable toy.

The next time I tried to give it one last shot, as it had been effective once. I tried a whole slew of brand new batteries, differing combinations of pairs of AAAs, with no response from the toy. Randomly, as if sensing that I was about to give up on it completely, it turned on. The buzz was not super intense, so I tried to cycle up to a different speed. No luck. It just held in the same intensity, whether I pushed the cycle button or the on/off button. You read that right, I couldn't get it to change speed OR EVEN TURN THE HELL OFF. Opening the battery compartment finally ended the ruse.

My assessment: this jawn is not your friend and shouldn't be considered on par with the other Doc Johnson products with which I have had far superior success. For that reason, I'm not going to bother with cleaning advice or materials information. Just keep looking.