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MrDiscover

Review: Crave Flex, a programmable pocket vibrator

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Hi all!

 

I like to share a review of a new vibrator with you all. Please let me know if this is appreciated! The review is split into a few chapters: introduction, unboxing, software and of course: using it. :)

 

Introduction

 

Crave is a new young company, founded by Ti Chang and Michael Toplovac. They are designing new and innovative sex toys and more. We've heard from them in early 2011, when they searched for money for their start-up business. They wanted to raise money to start the production of the Duet, a pocket size waterproof USB-powered external vibrator. As my girl and I are truly nerds, we liked the idea and backed this project. The goal of 100K was reached, in fact more then 600K was raised and production started. We received the Duet, engraved with the date my girl and I met. We liked the idea of the Duet but not so much the use. If there is enough interest in another review, I can review our two Duets here as well.

 

More products were launched, some also very successful.

 

Lately, they launched a program for a new product, the Flex. Also by crowd funding. It got us interested in backing this project too so last month, we donated 119$ for a limited version of the Programmable Flex.

 

Unboxing

 

The package arrived today. It only reads 'Crave' as sender, no signs of the naughty contents on the label. Inside the package a plain white box. I was a bit disappointed, the Duet had such nice packaging, cleverly folded carton box and a manual at the same time. But I could understand, this is of course on of the first of this product.

 

It turned out I was to quick with my verdict, inside was the kind of packaging I expected from Crave. No secret what is in the inside: the product is proudly shown (real size) on the outside. In blue and pink. Our is black with a gold plated detail. It came in a velvet-like pouch. On the inside of the box, just like with the Duet, a manual is printed. Some highlights: it is already charged. Now that is what I like about Crave, this eye for detail. I hate it when I buy something and then I can't use it right away, because it needs to charge for a few hours first. Not so with the Flex.

 

Some other details:

 

 

  • instructions say it can't be used for anal play (?)
  • no silicone based lube (bummer, because that is our favorite kind)
  • it is water proof
  • serial number is printed on the USB connector (important!)

 

Pics:

 

flex01.jpg

 

flex02.jpg

 

flex03.jpg

 

Very nice box.

 

flex04.jpg

 

flex05.jpg

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Unboxing, cont.

 

flex06.jpg

 

flex07.jpg

 

flex08.jpg

 

Instructions & warnings.

 

flex10.jpg

 

The velvet pouch.

 

flex11.jpg

 

The Flex itself. Ours is black & gold.

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Unboxing, cont

 

flex12.jpg

 

flex13.jpg

 

The gold-plated name tag.

 

flex14.jpg

 

The buttons are on the side, thick enough to feel and find them during playtime.

 

flex15.jpg

 

The USB connector, the cap is waterproof. On the connector plate, the serial number is printed. You will need that later on.

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Unboxing (last)

 

flex16.jpg

 

Charging:

 

flex17.jpg

 

Of course you don't have to use a computer for charging, we also use a small USB outlet charger for that, in a hotel for instance.

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Software

 

The Duet has a version with a large 16 GB memory, so you can not only charge it by USB, you can actually use it as a memory stick. Nerds as we are, that is of course the version we own. We have stored some porn on it. Duh!

 

The Flex uses USB to charge (an orange light glows while charging) but also has a memory. But it is very tiny. When you plug it in, it shows as a drive named. We use a Dutch Linux laptop here, Windows or Apple (or other language) would not differ much. As you can see it is only 68KB large and it only contains a folder with a serial number/key and a file named VIBE.pat with all the vibrate patterns. This is of course the fun part. Well, if you are a nerd and into sex, that is. So you can not really use it as a memory stick, but you can easily change the patterns.

 

How?

 

Well this is a very simple but great solution: you use their website to compose a new file. The software is very easy to use. Go to myvibes.lovecrave.com and just fill in the serial number (which can be found on the USB connector). That's enough to login. There are four settings you can program: a constant pattern, pulsing, wave and alternating. Just move the sliders left or right, download the file and try it. In total, there are 16 choices to make. You can always change it later on! Then you download it, put it on the Flex. Your operation system will ask if it may overwrite the old file (the one Crave put on it at the 28th of April), say yes and that is it. We have also own the programmable Vibease, but programming that vibrator is always troublesome, mainly because of failing blue tooth etc. But that is maybe for another review later on.

 

I really like the simplicity of this procedure. No software to download, which most of the time doesn't work on older computers, Apple or Linux. And it works on every browser. I do see a disadvantage: nothing lasts forever. So if Crave decide to pull the plug, you can not program the device anymore. At the other hand, when you open the it looks just like a pattern where hexadecimal values (sorry, nerd speak) mean a pulse, so there is something to tweak or hack:

 

 

When the Flex is connected:

 

flex20.jpg

 

This is how our computer sees this 'drive':

 

flex21.jpg

 

Going to the website of Crave to program it:

 

flex22.jpg

 

Choosing wave forms:

 

flex23.jpg

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Software (last)

 

Downloading the new pattern file:

 

 

flex25.jpg

 

And transferring it to the Flex (overwriting the old file)

 

flex26.jpg

 

And now? Now it is bed time in the Netherlands, time to put the Flex to the test. We will let you know if it performs between the sheets as well. :)

 

In the mean time, this is another review: The Crave Flex Series: The Perfect Sex Toys For The Data-Driven Lady

flex24.jpg

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To be clear: this is a limited edition vibrator, there are only 60 of them worldwide. This edition is programmable, the final product won't be as far as I know. The idea behind this, is that people like us are testing and trying the most pleasurable patterns. When satisfied (pun intended), we will upload the best pattern to Crave and they will choose the most popular patterns to be part of the final product ('Greatest Hits').

 

[video=youtube_share;Bs1YeZUuE5c]

 

Which is great because I am sure it will make it a better vibrator. Which is bad because I think more people would like to be able to personalize their Flex. And it is bad because it makes my 'doom scenario' of a possible vanishing website more realistic.

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How does it perform?

 

As promised, we have tried the Flex in bed too. We both like the size and feel, MsD really likes the touch of it, it is warm and soft. We had not changed the patterns, so this was all with default factory settings. The vibrations were ok, nice for me. It felt good on my nipples and penis. But for MsD the default settings are a bit too soft. And the waves too long. So that is something we are going to change. She liked the continuous vibrations the most, around her clit and just with the tip against it. The other product, the Duet, has two tips and a few times her clit or lips were caught between them, not a big success I can tell you. This one has just one tip so she was not afraid of a mishap this time.

 

After some foreplay, we used it together and during intercourse it felt very good. Since it is not a very large toy or with awkward edges and shapes, it fitted good between our bodies during missionary position, me leaning on my arms. MsD rarely ever comes from a vibrator, we only use them during foreplay most of the time. But this one stayed and took her over the edge. Twice.

 

Cleaning was easy, just a bit of water and a towel. Although the Flex should be very silent, we found it still made enough noise to be worried some moments during play. But certainly not excessive.

 

Conclusion this far: great product, just the size we like for an external vibrator, easy to program, nice classy design and easy to clean. Vibrating patterns still need some tweaks, but that is easy to do. The pricetag, however, could be a disadvantage for some. I expect the price for the final product to be 60 for single tip and 80 for dual, excluding shipping. At this point, there is no sign a programmable Flex will be sold as a final product.

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Quite the in-depth review, MrDiscover! Great job. :) I hope it is useful to those who are in the market for a pocket vibrator.

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