Pearl Panther

This vibrator from California Exotics Novelties is kind of a classic. It was first produced back in ’98 and in still in mainstream production today. We thought we’d test out its performance to see how well it stands up to some of the more current creations in the biz. One of our favorite things about it is just its name, ‘Pearl Panther’, and all the tawdry one-liners that are borne as a result; it doesn’t get any better than “this cat will keep you purring”.

Description and Materials

The Pearl Panther is vibrating dildo with prowess. The standard sized shaft is curved upward to enhance G-spot stimulation and its tip-and-bead chamber swivel to heighten your pleasure. The clitoral stimulator, a precocious feline, is attached to the lower part of the shaft and its vibration can be turned on or off independently from the rotating shaft.

The Panther comes in a signature pink color with white and pink pearls in its chamber. Its shaft is 7 inches long with an insertable length of approximately 5 inches. There’s a built in control pad at the base of the toy that controls the two functions – ‘twister’ and ‘vibration’. It’s easy to manipulate during play, but you have to be careful to you avoid getting liquid on it; no shower play for this cat.

Made of a rubber that feels slightly tacky to the touch, there seemed to be a slick coating on its surface when I first got it out of the box, but it did come off after a few washes. The material gave off a slightly repugnant smell similar to that of low grade jelly, which regrettably didn’t dissipate despite many washes and uses.

How It Works

The toy requires 3 AA batteries to operate. The Pearl Panther is simple to use. It includes two functions to choose from, as well as two speeds. Each function has its own ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ buttons so when you want to turn the toy on, push in the corresponding ‘slow’ button. Press down the ‘fast’ button when you want to increase the speed and depress it to decrease it. The downside of this toy is that there is no option to reverse the direction of the rotation, nor is there an automatic off.

Packaging/Storage

The style of packaging reveals that this product had been designed many years ago. A leggy, scantily clad porn star graces the cover and the actual Pearl Panther peeks out through the cut-out in the box.

If you’re giving the toy as a gift, don’t expect to make any impression based on the packaging or overall presentation. I happened to notice a discrepancy on the box regarding the number of batteries the toy actually takes, which incidentally were not included with purchase; also, neither instructions nor a storage bag came with it.

Because the Pearl Panther’s material is tacky, it will pick up lint and dirt particles easily so make sure to store it appropriately; choose a cool dry place to keep.

Remember to remove the batteries after you’ve finished playing with it – this toy will easily get turned on if it’s bumped by accident.

Audibility

The “clit-terrific” panther hums very quietly, but the rotating bead shaft can scarcely whirl without making a lot of noise. It has a higher pitched “wee” sound that you can actually hear oscillate, and the pearl beads can be heard bumping around in their chamber from the next room.

Pleasure Factor

On the positive side, there are a couple of features that make this a really pleasure-inducing toy. The shaft of panther is narrow and also very bendy, both of which aid comfortable insertion; you’ll be able to thrust as much as you please without a second thought.

The Pearl Panther also seemed to be a perfect fit for both my clitoris and vagina combo. The placement of the vibrating ‘panther’ was far enough down the shaft that I could enjoy being penetrated deeply without feeling crowded by the nub that buzzes. The clitoral vibrator was also set at an angle that felt really comfortable resting against my clitoral mound, an aspect that many manufacturers are challenged to get just right.

The ‘twister’ function did produce a pleasurable, albeit slightly feeble, sensation. You can insert the dildo so that the pearls rotate right at your vaginal opening; sliding the toy in deeper will make the pearls spin closer to your G-spot.

Cleaning

The manufacturer recommends that you clean the product before and after each use. Use an adult toy cleaner that is compatible with rubber material; alternatively, use an antibacterial soap with warm water to clean it. Make sure you don’t immerse it in water and avoid getting any of it inside the body of the toy. It is critical that you give it sufficient time to fully air dry before you store it away.

Critique

This vibrating dildo is definitely not among my favorites. The rotating bead shaft is loud and doesn’t rotate well. I was disappointed by the poor quality of the bead chamber and the odor of the material. More modern rabbit-style vibrators have beads that are aligned in rows with steel lines holding them in place. This vibrator is also not waterproof.

If only it had more power ... the bummer with this toy is that its shaft can’t handle much resistance; the harder you contract your vaginal muscles, the more it constricts the spin to its tip and beads. On the other hand, despite the fact that the clitoral vibrator only had 2 speed options, I felt it was strong enough to satisfy my urge for a powerful buzz.

This was the first time I’ve used a multi-functional vibrating dildo with this particular type of control panel. I actually really liked how simple the concept was, and it only took a minute or two for me to adjust to it. It’s great because you can feel, rather than look, to see what speed level you’re at based on how deep the button has been depressed. Unfortunately, this style would only be effective if each function on the pad only had a couple of speeds to choose from.

Long Term Appeal

The Pearl Panther won’t last long in my toy chest. With its low grade material, limited speed/functionality, and unappealing noise level, I give it a couple months in my boudoir before it gets thrown.

Value

I was surprised at how high the Pearl Panther is priced for a product past its ‘best-by’ date; so it’s not good value unless you can get it on sale.

Final Thoughts

Although the Pearl Panther has some redeeming qualities, I couldn’t rate it higher than a 4/10. Its modern counterparts are quieter, more fashionable and better constructed. Unfortunately, despite the fact that it might have set the standard in its day, it now really belongs in the past.

To Order

For more information on the Pearl Panther, or to order one, please .