This toy has a sentimental meaning for me: it is the first vibrator I ever bought, in my freshman year of college three years ago. Other reviews seem to indicate that the velvet touch vibe didn't last long for them, but mine is still going strong. If it died for some people it is probably more user error than product defect. Just make sure you don't use high power brand name batteries that can burn out the motor, and always take them out when you go more than a few days without using it and you shouldn't have any trouble. This is an all around excellent toy, especially for a beginner. It doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles but it does the trick. The price is right, the vibrations are strong, and it is slim enough for those just starting to experiment but thick enough to be satisfying.

The material is unlike anything I had experienced before; a unique type of plastic that really does feel like velvet. It is silky and glides very nicely. The dial base is better than a button in my opinion because you don't have to cycle through 8 different settings to turn it off. Another pro is that it doesn't take some crazy expensive watch battery like some of the more pricey toys available. It's also fine for a living situation like a dorm room. I wouldn't use it with someone else in the room but you can take it in the shower or use it behind closed doors without a problem. One major con is that the rigidity of the material can be difficult when you use it solo. There is zero give, so it can be difficult to get into a position where you can find a good rhythm without it hurting or having your arm at an awkward angle.

I also discovered the velvet touch is great for couples play. The material is solid, which lets you get good pressure, and the vibrations are strong enough that you can hand it over to your guy for some hands free attention and he couldn't really mess it up; as long as he is somewhere in the area, it will feel good. Alternatively, I found it to be slim enough to use anally to spice up sex, although people who haven't experimented with anal might find it on the big side. I feel safe enough about this vibrator's material to use it both vaginally and anally as long as I clean it thoroughly in between, which is not difficult. Overall, this vibe has served me very faithfully for several years and will probably continue to be one of my favorites, even over all the more expensive flashier ones available.