Cal Exotic's Masseur is a hand-held vibrator used for external stimulation. Its size and ease of handling makes it ideal for clitoral stimulation, but it can also be used on other erogenous zones. Because its vibrating power is moderate, this vibrator is suitable for beginners and those who plan on using it with a partner or in tandem with other toys.

The bottom of the Masseur - the part that comes in direct contact with skin and channels the vibrations - is made from "premium Japanese medical grade silicone." I still have yet to discover what exactly makes Japanese silicone better than, say, German or American silicone and there is no discernible difference in the end product. The silicone is smooth, velvety, and provides an easy glide across the skin with a dab of (non silicone) lubricant.

The top of the Masseur and the battery case are made from plastic.

The Masseur rests easily in the palm of your hand and the design allows for a broad range of grip angles. The size of the handle makes it easy to hold the vibrator without slipping, but at the same time the base is not so large that it makes the vibrator difficult to use.

The front portion of the Masseur is where the real action takes place. Here is where the vibrations are the strongest and it's the vibrator's tip that does most of the heavy lifting when it comes to stimulation. The flatness of the head offers a reasonable middle ground between flat vibrators that stimulate everything and small vibrators that only stimulate a very small area. Because the head is curved it is not possible to have it lie flat against the skin.

The toy's size makes it a good choice for travel or use away from home. It's easily slipped into a purse or a pocket and even wouldn't be out of place in the glove compartment of your car.

Those familiar with the rest of Cal Exotic's Couture Collection will quickly recognize the control panel on the Masseur. One button turns the unit on and off. A second button rotates through seven vibration patterns. These patterns range from hums in varying degrees of intensity to different pulsation patterns.

The buttons are placed in a comfortable location on the handle and are very easy to adjust. There is also a red light that illuminates the controls when the vibrator is turned on, making it easy to see what you're doing in the dark.

The Masseur takes two AA batteries that are inserted at the base. The + and - directions for the batteries are clearly marked on both the battery case door and under the holes that the batteries are inserted into. There's a bit of a learning curve when it comes to opening the battery door (hint: push the little tab down **hard**), but by the same token you know that if a battery case is difficult to open, chances are it's going to stay closed during use.

It's not a quiet vibrator, but nor is it particularly loud. It's comparable to most vibrators on the market today, which is to say it's slightly louder than an electric toothbrush.

This vibrator is waterproof and works equally well in and out of the water.

Because the Masseur is waterproof, it can be cleaned with regular soap and water or toy cleaner. Its plastic components make it unsuitable for boiling and/or putting in the dishwasher. After cleaning it can be stored alongside other toys or in its original packaging.

Please remember that the Masseur is made in part from silicone, making it incompatible with silicone lubricants. Use water or oil based lubricants when playing with the Masseur. Love your toys and they will love you.