Arcwave Ion2, Rumbling along to nothing
UPDATE: I have added a star to this rating because I was able to resolve the issue with the company, albeit with an unnecessary level of difficulty. They sent me a link to a warranty form that lacked specific fields for the information they required (like order number), so I smooshed everything into a comment field. The form would not submit. Hitting the submit button just refreshed the page, and no confirmation email was sent. A google inquiry revealed that this is a common complaint. However, I took screencaps of the filled out form and sent them to their support email (care@) and they wrote back to me with an offer to replace the device. I did not want the replacement and asked to try the Zing instead, and they gave me a coupon for the full amount for the Zing, which I will review when it arrives. I still advise you purchase from a company that has an 800 number and easy return procedures, but at least I can say Arcwave is legitimate and I could resolve the issue.
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Like a lot of guys, I have a very sensitive frenulum and I respond well to toys that stimulate that area. I've had a lot of fun with the Manta and the Pulse, both easy to use and effective. So why would I spend $165 on a new toy that also targets the frenulum? Well, the company and various respected and well known media seemed pretty excited about a unique technology that creates "sonically generated" air bursts to the frenulum along with unique vibration patterns all within a device you can also stroke with. So yes I admit, high expectations!
The device arrived very professionally packaged with clear instructions. I charged it up with ease and proceeded to try it out. Ouch! I am of average length and girth and therefore was very surprised at how much effort was required to get myself into the sleeve far enough to reach the air puffy part. The sleeve is very thick silicone and does not stretch easily. I had to bail twice and regain an erection in order to squeeze through. This toy is supposedly erection-optional (according to professional reviewers), therefore helpful for those with ED. Not so! I tried to get in without one and no deal.
I turned it on, it made a little rumble and stopped. I switched to "auto-pilot" mode and it made a low rumble. I pressed the plus button repeatedly, and nothing. I turned the device on and off a few times, and activated the "skin sensitive" mode (auto activation on skin contact), and basically tried everything available to make it do what it was supposed to do. So yes, defective. But here's the thing: I could still try the basic function. I got it to vibrate/puff air on steady mode when it suddenly revved up way high and I was able to decrease to a low-medium speed, and it was not at all enjoyable. There is a hard rim around the air hole and when it is "vibrating" (they call it something else) it just plain hurts! It's hard, it's around a very sensitive area, and it's banging away.
I gave the Ion2 the old college try and decided to return it, but I didn't want a replacement. So I filled out a form on their site and asked for a refund or exchange credit as I could try something else. I received an auto-reply that I would receive a reply within 5 to 7 business days, with a caveat that writing to them again would only roll back the ticket.
The Arcwave web site has prominently displayed claims of product warranties and also a "pleasure guarantee," but when I filled out the form and looked at the terms, I have to wait for a "team review" and an approval, get a return authorization, and send the device in with all the paperwork including proof of purchase. The device came to me with a numeric order number that did not match the alphanumeric number I received in the confirmation email. I hope I am wrong but things are not adding up in a copacetic way with this company.
My honest review is that you could hurt yourself with this device, but if you want to try it, go through a third party you have done business with before that has an 800 number you can call.