If you're tired of opening packages with porn stars on the cover, tastelessly showing off your new toy (and sometimes using it, depending on how lucky you are!), the the Dial-a-Dream will automatically be up your alley. The packaging is simple, clear plastic (so you can actually see the toy, not a picture of it), with cute pink swirl designs along the edges. I must say, it was a very refreshing change of decor--no offense, Jenna Jameson. The packaging also proclaims a few perks about the toy: waterproof; now virtually silent; silicone; all new dial control. How very helpful.

Thinking these things had accurately prepared me for what to expect, I settled in to try the toy out. First of all, let me recommend the fuchsia version over the pink--this color is deep and vibrant, and I personally found it very alluring. The pink version is... a little bland, though I haven't seen it in person. Now, back to those "perks" I mentioned. This toy is very easy to clean, even with all the ridges. It has that smooth, soft silicone feel, and is waterproof like the box claims. Because the toy is TPR silicone, it's still porous and not able to be sterilized. So yay Silicone - boo TPR. And, unfortunately, I took issue with their other two pronouncements. This "all new dial" made me think the old dial must have been really horrible, because it certainly wasn't helpful. There are tiny raised edges on the dial by which you are supposed to turn it to get from low vibrations to high. Unfortunately, they are very hard to get a hold of, and turning the dial is quite hard. It's location is good, at the end of a slightly curved "handle" section of the toy, but you need two hands to turn the dial with any success.

The dial doesn't have varied sections to stop at for levels of vibration power. There's simply high on one end, and low on the other. It gets gradually more intense as you turn the dial, but I could really only notice three stages of intensity. Luckily, the lowest setting is fairly strong, and by the time you get to the highest it certainly has enough power to get me off. The vibrations travel throughout the whole toy, with enough power at the tip AND at the base, which I am personally a huge fan of. But before I praise it any further, let's step back at that last "perk"--the one about the toy being virtually silent? Maybe to the deaf it is. This is the loudest vibrator I own, and I'm sure it could be heard through a closed door. Maybe not through a wall.

The toy has its ups and downs for sure. The downs don't add up to the point where it isn't satisfactory, so let's move away from them. The texture of this toy is a huge turn on - there are well defined ridges along 2/3 of the shaft--which is just the right length for me. I was able to insert the toy (minus the handle) fully, and didn't want any more than that. Even better than the little ridges, however, is that the toy has three "bulbs"--see the picture, I don't know another word to describe them. These feel amazing with even the slightest thrusting action, and they take care of the sensitive lower walls of the vagina while the tip does the work deeper. This toy really has a unique feel that I fell in love with.

It is not that big in diameter, but it was larger than I'm used to so lube (don't use silicone-based lube with this toy!) was a necessity to get the best out of this vibrator. Even though I am quite capable of creating my own lubrication, I am a big fan of water-based lubes--things just go smoother, pun intended. Overall, my boyfriend and I had a lot of fun with this toy, and if you're looking for a traditional vibrator that has a little something extra, this one succeeds.