You do get what you pay for...

The only time I ordered an off-brand Aneros-like device, it was like you said, with a dangerously sharp seam line that I had to sand-down. I can only imagine how many people they've injured, who didn't know better than to not EVER subject their anus to sharp plastic edges like that. It really turned me around on the value of "brands". I had been cynical of "brands" for a long time, owing to all the luxury designer crap people were wildly over-paying for. But now I think, if you can't at least get your company name to something recognizable, then what are you even doing? I've since seen the same exact model sold under different brand names, which deepens my cynicism towards unknown random brands.

Having said that, my Peredise set arrived with disappointing seams I had to sand-down, but they weren't anywhere near as bad as this other device, and it was the exception across the many Aneros devices I've bought over the years.

I 100% expected them to not be amazing finish-wise, but I wanted something I could experiment with a bit. 

After fixing them up, neither are terrible, but they're just not "it". It was interesting to figure out why they did not work. Getting them to deliver Super-Os would be a pretty hard challenge. As a learning experience, these were fun to play with, they did at least feel different from what I already have. For someone who's looking to have Super-Os and is not just noodling around, I don't feel they're worth it.

And I want to reiterate that these were not safe out of the box. That's pretty unsettling. 

Posted by: @clenchy

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I've since seen the same exact model sold under different brand names, which deepens my cynicism towards unknown random brands.

The place I ordered from had 3 identical ones at different prices, under different brand names. Wild ! 

I think the worst part of this is that by buying cheaper (and grey market) products, you assign value to them that they don't deserve, and encourage their future behavior. 

@faith-manages 

In general, if I'm not buying a bootleg/pirate Aneros copy, then I don't feel like it's such a bad thing. Practically speaking I don't see any particular device being better than what I already have. Years ago someone had a stroke of genius and designed the perfect Aneros for me, and it's the Eupho. If there's ever a Eupho MK2, then I would consider it. I'm just goofing around to keep things interesting and out of curiosity for the hobby. Now I have a good feel about what happens (or does not) with bad P-tab contact. I did learn something. Just like trying to play some hard rock on a plastic toy harmonica, hehe. 

The main issue is when the off-brands don't really work. Like the reason why Aneros don't make a toy with a particular geometry might be that their research and experience shows that it would suck as a prostate massager. Sometimes you can just look at a toy and see right away that's it going to be terrible. So I have issues with just randomly throwing a design together to make a quick buck and not caring about people's potential frustration or even safety with using the toy.

As far as I know, there's nothing as good as Aneros in the plain plastic category, so people looking for a "better deal" are probably throwing their money into a pit. But I understand that it can be attractive to get 4 or even 5 toys for the price of one, thinking that it's possible to outsmart the O by having a wide selection of tools. Of course, if they're all junk, that won't pan out... 

Edit : My relationship with Aneros as a customer, it pretty much this: Buy it Once - Lee Valley Tools (youtube.com) 

@zentai I'm definitely one of the buy-it-once kind of guys.  Except when it comes to Aneros, then I seem to be Gotta catch 'em all!

@faith-manages 

Oh I understand ! I have a red Progasm, a 2-pack of Peridise, Helix, SGX, Eupho, and the original Vice. I pretty much only use the Eupho and Peridise. When I use one of the others, I'm often wondering why I did not pick the Eupho.

I don't feel like each model offers subtle, sensual difference in their working. Sure they are different, but it's not a huge difference in my case. Instead, for me, there's a certain feeling or level of stimulation that I want more of, and I find it more in Aless these days, and in the less aggressive designs of prostate massagers.

Since everyone and their uncle are coming out with bigger, bumpier, lumpier designs with vibration, come-hither motion, thrusting motion, Bluetooth connectivity, I don't feel like the market in general is going in the right direction for my tastes. Of course that's a "me" problem. But I know that if Aneros make a new Eupho-looking model, then I'm getting that, because it's going to work. Or maaaaaybe a Maximus, who knows, hehe. 

@zentai Eupho is my favorite model as well. It is so light and can be moved without any effort. 
In my opinion, it is much better to buy brand names with a great reviews. Stay safe. 

@ghusa 

Yes, the Eupho is where it's at ! 

I also agree with not buying knock-offs in general. Some people are having issues with nJoy wands copies that rust, or are only plated and flake off. That's pretty bad, to say the least.. 

Posted by: @zentai

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Some people are having issues with nJoy wands copies that rust, or are only plated and flake off. That's pretty bad, to say the least..

I've seen enough badly chrome-plated crap to believe it. Like bathroom fixtures where they know damn well it's going to be exposed to moisture all the time, but they don't give a shit, because they can just disappear and re-emerge as some other brand. The churn of cheap crap just keeps on going. It's funny that the cynic in me, that began doubting "big fancy brands", came full circle through these experiences and wondering "Hey, why doesn't your brand have any reputation?".

I think the nJoy Pure Wand was steeply priced, and in a way I felt I was paying the "sex toy" tax on it, but I'm comfortable in the knowledge that it's a solid piece of equipment that will out-live me by possibly hundreds of years. And that, if absolutely nothing else, it has the heft to make it a serviceable weapon for home defense.

@clenchy 

I don't remember if I told this story here or elsewhere, but one of the most painful cuts I have ever had was from a chrome flake, on an old worn-out wrench. This was like the thinnest razor blade ever... So to sell some badly plated junk like this, that is supposed to be used internally, that's some sociopathic behavior right there.

We could discuss big fancy brands all night long, and whether we always get out money worth, but for safety equipment, sex toys, and a few other things, I'm okay with paying a premium so I can have peace of mind. In a perfect world, some of the extra $$ goes into quality control and customer service.  My first real Aneros was almost as expensive as my nJoy wand (!!), but it does things that the nJoy cannot. Still, the nJoy "looks" like it's better value. Both were worth it, and both were also at that price point where you need to think about it a bit before ordering.