The Apollo has one control panel. It's a series of 3 buttons, in a white circle. The circle is " in diameter. There is a dark pink button that is circular in appearance. The button is matte. The button has a raised circle. This button turns on the toy, and turns it off.
To turn the toy on, press and hold the button down for about 3 seconds. This will turn the toy on. This automatically puts the toy in a low vibration mode. If you press the toy for 3 seconds while it's on, it will turn off the toy.
The + button on the toy is used to increase the intensity of the vibrations, and to switch to pulsation modes.
The - button is used decrease the intensity of vibrations, and switch back to the previous pulsation mode.
The buttons are lit by a LED light. This light enables you to operate the toy in the dark, or areas that are dimly lit.
In my experience with the toy. It's very simple to use.
To turn it on, I held down the middle (pink)button for 3 seconds. It would then be on the lowest steady setting of vibration.
To go to the next level of higher vibration, press the + sign once. This feels like a medium steady vibration. Do the same for the next higher vibration levels that are steady.
Pressing the + after these settings, will allow the toy will go into the first pulsation mode. There are 2 more varied pulsation settings after the first one. Continuing to press the + button will cycle through those. I have had trouble decreasing the speeds, and pulsations with the - sign. I always have to turn off the toy and restart. I've tried it numerous times, and the - does not work to decrease the vibrations or pulsation patterns.
There are 7 settings on the toy, starting with the lowest setting when you turn on the toy.
1- Very Low Steady
2- Low steady
3- Medium steady
4- High steady
5- Pulse pause Pulse pause Pulse pause
6- Short short long, short short long, short short long pulses
7- Rapid pulse and pauses, continuous
There are two motors in the Apollo. One is located in the clitoral arm, and the other is located in the shaft of the toy, near the tip.
The Apollo is powered by 2 AAA batteries. The toy doesn't drain as much power as I thought it would. Of course, Duracell or Energizer batteries will tend to outlast some of the lower quality batteries.
When storing the toy, I always take out the batteries, because I've had toys damaged in the past from batteries that were left inside the toy. Some have exploded, and some have leaked out into the battery compartment. Either way, it can damage the toy and possibly cause bodily harm.
The vibrations are located in the shaft of the toy from one motor, and the other motor sends out its vibrations into the tip of the clitoral arm. There are strong vibrations, on the high settings. There is no way to switch back and forth, between the arm and shaft. These patterns are in tune with each other. They both do the same thing that the other motor is doing. There is also no way to turn off one at a time. Everything is done together. This toy doesn't have a memory.
The controls are convenient, and easy to use. My only issue about the controls is that the control pad doesn't feel very durable as other high quality products that I own.
The Apollo is relatively quiet, and whisper soft. I do like that feature a lot. It can't be heard through a door, and it can't be heard over a television, fan, or running water.
The Apollo is only splash proof, so don't take it in the tub or shower. The silicone can have water on the surface, just not the handle.
I like the variety of vibrations, and pulsation settings. The Apollo does have some power, but it's not as rumbly as I would have liked. The vibrations can become buzzy, in the higher settings.
I give it a 3.7 on the vibration power scale. Someone who doesn't need very strong vibrations could benefit from this toy. Power queens may not like the vibration level that it gives.
This toy is also slender, and size queens may not like this, for that reason. People like myself, who enjoy toys that are slender, may love the Apollo.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that it will work best for those who don't need extremely powerful vibrations, and who like slender toys.
It did get me off, but I had to press down on the clitoral arm because it was too far up for me to enjoy it. That was a little uncomfortable to do , but after a while, it worked for me. It seems to work better for those who have a clitoris that isn't super close to the vaginal opening. It could possibly be the perfect toy for those who are taller. I've noticed that some taller ladies have a clitoris that is spaced farther apart from the vaginal opening. I think this toy could possibly work for them. While I am petite, at 5'2", the clitoral arm sat above my clitoris, and above my hood.
New batteries should have over 2 hours of usage. This will depend on which settings are used the most.